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Spirituality
St. Isidore of Seville: Ancient scholar, patron saint of the internet for many
The internet is ubiquitous in our day to day lives, a tool without which our contemporary world would not be able to function. It is an indispensable part of our modern lifestyle, something we engage with every day. It is a diverse…
Sunday Gospel reflection: Live all life’s ups and downs with God
Today’s liturgy, like much of life at times, is marked by wild contrasts. One day Jesus rides into Jerusalem in triumph. He is greeted with joyful shouting: “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” The people greet the…
What Joseph taught Jesus about suffering for others
It’s perfect that St. Joseph’s Day comes just seven days before Passion Sunday this year. This Sunday we will hear how Jesus died in obedience to his Father, in heaven. This Monday we learn that it wasn’t just his heavenly Father he was…
St. Joseph: Lessons from a simple man
The Church puts great emphasis on St. Joseph and for good reason. As foster father of Christ, taking care of the young Savior and looking after his Most Blessed Mother, he is among the most distinguished figures in Christianity. And yet…
What we can learn from St. Patrick
St. Patrick’s Day is one of those holidays which has grown so big in scope that it is difficult to dwell entirely on the man whom the feast celebrates. Between people clinging onto their 1/16th Irish heritage, fanciful stories of missing…
March: Translation of the Relics of St. Nicephorus
This month’s saint with a funny name is not “Nice 4 Us” like some ancient precursor of Toys R Us. Think hard “k” sound. Something like: Ni-ki-for-os. That’s more like it. Nicephorus (feast day March 13) spent most of his life close to the…
The Mass: ‘Lift up your hearts’
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the fourth part of Fr. Longenecker’s series in which he explains the deeper significance of the elements of the Catholic Mass. Part one is “The Mass: Praising & Processing.” Part two is “The Mass: The Living…
‘You know, mom, God loves you so much’
EDITOR'S NOTE: This story is courtesy of our friends at The Coming Home Network. A few years ago, after living our entire lives in southwestern Michigan, I accepted a job that took our family to a small town in Washington State, on the…
Sunday Gospel reflection: Trust that God is with you
When I was 5 years old and hospitalized with polio, the doctor phoned one evening to tell my mother that I might not live through the night. Mom was alone, in quarantine with my 2-year-old sister, while Dad was staying with friends so he…
Sunday Gospel reflection: We are called to protect all living creatures
Today’s First Reading is the conclusion of the 40-day ordeal of Noah, his family, and all the creatures in the ark during the Great Flood. Note that the covenant God declares is not only with Noah and all human beings, but also and equally…