Author

Derek Pettinelli
Derek Pettinelli is a 2017 graduate of Assumption College in Worcester, Massachusetts, with a bachelor of arts degree in writing and mass communications and political science.
St. Kateri Tekakwitha’s feast day is July 14. Here are five quick facts about her. St. Kateri, pray for us! 1. St. Kateri Tekakwitha was the first Native American saint in the United States and Canada St. Kateri Tekakwitha was a Mohawk…
Facts about the Church in early America
Take some time this Independence Day to teach your family about the early history of the Catholic Church in the United States. May God bless America! Charles Carroll of Carrollton (1737–1832) Carroll was a delegate to the Continental…
St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, first American saint
St. Frances Xavier Cabrini (1850–1917) was an Italian-American religious sister who founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. She is the patron saint of immigrants. In honor of her feast day on Nov. 13, here are five…
Five Ways to Observe Memorial Day
1. Attend Mass at a cemetery Some Catholic cemeteries offer Mass on Memorial Day. To find one near you, contact your diocese or parish. 2. Learn about Fr. Emil Kapaun Emil Kapaun was a priest from Kansas and a U.S.…
St. Patrick: ‘A man of prayer, holiness, and love’
St. Patrick’s Day is here once again and people all over the world are getting ready to celebrate with festivities and parades. But why is it that St. Patrick’s Day has become such a huge celebratory event? And did he really drive all the…
Five ways to observe Advent
Advent begins Dec. 1 this year. It can be easy to miss out on this liturgical season because of the hectic nature of the holidays. Here are five ways to observe these important weeks before Christmas. Make a Jesse tree Create your own Jesse…
Five prayers for the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul
The Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul is June 29. Here are five prayers to these two apostles. Sts. Peter and Paul, pray for us! 1. O holy Apostles, Peter and Paul, intercede for us. Protect, O Lord, your people who trust in the patronage of…
Encouraging men about the value of fatherhood
In his book, How to be a Superman Dad in a Kryptonite World: Even When You Can’t Afford a Decent Cape (Guiding Light Books, 2017), John Clark, husband and father of nine, draws upon his own experiences to discuss the value of fatherhood.…
Healing the Culture
When people with strong opinions talk to others with differing strong opinions, things tend to get heated, especially on the issues of life. But that’s where Healing the Culture, a nonprofit organization based in Washington state, is…
Five family activities to celebrate the Epiphany
The Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord is celebrated either on the 12th day after Christmas, Jan. 6, or on the first Sunday after Jan 1. Below are some ideas you can incorporate into your celebration this year, inspired by some…