After years of neglect by her drug-addicted mother, the social worker finally put eight-year-old Carol, into foster care. She was adopted by a loving family, but the damage had been done. Carol was wounded at a very deep level. Racked with…

We’re lined up at the back of church. The high school student who is thurifer holds the incense thurible, which is billowing smoke. To his side a little boy holds the “boat” containing the incense. Behind them the crucifer is…

At the very heart of the Catholic Mass, the priest turns to the people and lifts up the chalice and consecrated bread that has become the body and blood of Christ. He repeats the words of St. John the Baptist when he saw Jesus coming to him…

Every Christmas the Nativity set is unpacked. The shepherds find their place, and the three Wise Men and their camels join them. It’s likely that one of the Wise Men is Asian, one African, and one Caucasian. The best-informed children will…

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the second part of Fr. Longenecker’s series in which he explains the deeper significance of the elements of the Catholic Mass. Click here to read part one.  Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount is one of the most easily…

Part of the magic of Christmas is giving and receiving gifts. The presents might be simple, homemade, and practical or expensive and luxurious, but they represent the love we have for one another. To put it simply, we give treasures to the…

Why is it that, when we take the youth group to camp on retreat, we always make sure there is a campfire on the schedule? Why do we put up with the dirt, soot, and smoke of a fireplace in our home when we no longer need it for heat? Why do…

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the third 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 Word."…

Five hundred years ago, the Church and the world plum­meted into crisis. The Protes­tant Revolution split Europe into warring factions. In the wake of Martin Luther’s preaching, Germany erupted in a revolt among the peasants that…

One of the favorite activities for young children is a book at bedtime. When parents, grandparents, or big brothers and sisters curl up with a young child to read a good book, relationships are strengthened, bonds are built, and both heads…