May 15, 2016 – Pentecost Sunday – Mass During The Day Pentecost Sunday (Mass during the Day) Lectionary: 63 (NAB Translation) This is a Sunday that provides choices for the readings that are not just shorter or longer versions from the same section. It is likely that your mass differs in at least… [Read More]
The Unlucky 5 for Whom the Cell Tolls
“Please silence or turn off you cell phones in the church.” That’s a warning you hear or see in many parishes. No matter how tightly tethered we are to our electronic devices, Mass ought to be the one place where we let go of this constant connection. Yet we still sometimes hear phones ringing in… [Read More]
The Power of Christian Unity
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; never be conceited. -Romans 12:14-16 This verse is thematic of what we call Christian unity: peace, harmony, listening to… [Read More]
Why do we fast during Lent?
Lent is now upon us and it will soon be time for fasting and abstaining from meat. Why do we do these things and why is it necessary to fast in our spiritual life? A few days ago I was in line for confession and ended up staring at and thinking about the cross on… [Read More]
Being Open to the Bride
Last weekend I was blessed to witness the marriage of two very dear friends. The wedding was absolutely joyful, full of celebration that flowed spontaneously from the deep love and commitment of my two friends. On the drive home, with a heart full of the echoes of the celebration and the presence of my friends… [Read More]
Jeans or a Suit? 4 Things a Man Should Wear to Mass
Going to Mass requires some effort. You have to schedule it in your calendar, make sure that nothing else will prevent you from going, and even do a little prep for the readings (insert plug) by listening to the Sunday Says Podcast. With our our busy lives today, that can be a really big feat… [Read More]
Consider the lilies: The relationship between natural and supernatural life
Easter Season is such a rich season for symbols, for imagery. It is the season where I appreciate most the Church’s rich liturgical tradition – she really has a way of understanding the relationship between the natural and the supernatural world, which gives birth to such rich spiritual life. Last Sunday I was blessed with the… [Read More]
Habemus Papam! Pope Francis
UPDATE: The following is Bishop Joe Vasquez’s press conference about our new Holy Father. Thanks to Relevant Radio and Pat Ryan! Original Post: At approximately 1:13pm CST on Wednesday March 13, 2013 white smoke began billowing out of the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel. Viewership online at EWTN, CatholicTV.com, Salt and Light and more jumped in… [Read More]
The Purpose-Driven Catholic Church (Review: “Rebuilt”)
I am a parish employee. Campus ministry works in some significantly different ways than geographical parishes, but for practical purposes (such as when people ask what I do), I work in a parish. I’m betting pretty strongly that most of you reading this either currently belong to a parish, go to Mass, or used to… [Read More]
Why I Visit Churches
Beauty is the most universal form of communication for Truth. Not only is beauty totally giving, never asking for anything in return, beauty never needs translation. Like many people, I find God to be very visible in His creation of nature. I’ve had many powerful encounters of prayer in beautiful outdoor settings, and always find… [Read More]
¿Porque El Año De La Fe? Octubre 11, 2012 – Noviembre 24, 2013
Todos conocemos a alguien que se ha alejado de la fe Católica. Hasta en muchas de nuestras familias hay personas que ya no practican la fe. La cantidad de gente que “era Católica” es alarmante. No es alarmante porque creemos que la Iglesia se va deshacer y dejara de existir. El Espíritu Santo ha guiado… [Read More]
Young Adults and the Parish
Looking back on my childhood, I am very grateful for the role that our parish had in my life. We prayed together, and we played together. Outside of school, the parish was everything to me and my family. That community consists of only a couple hundred families and is the only Catholic church in that… [Read More]
The Need for Catechists
Throughout the world, ordinary people carry out an important mission of the Church – catechises. I am no priest or doctor of theology, but I am a catechist for high school students. Often times, people will ask me why I would ever want to do such a thing, as if it were some kind of… [Read More]
Obedience, Division, and Black Sheep
Unless you’ve been avoiding the internet over the last few days, you’ve probably already heard about Fr John Corapi’s decision to leave the priesthood. I will not claim to be an expert on this situation but want share some thoughts on this issue. I would recommend you read this detailed analysis called Father Coarpi’s Bombshell…. [Read More]
