Catholic Journal

To encourage people to get out and take action. This ideal is important for our Church in mission territory. Throughout my life, I have participated in social causes, from ecological advocacy to participation in elections and the Pro-Life cause. Now, I have the responsibility to encourage all of you to take part and lead in your parishes.

I have heard again and agai...

During World War II, a few months after the Germans had invaded and conquered France, a French priest was saying daily Mass in the little village to which he was assigned. Coming out of the sacristy, he noticed the church was empty, but that didn’t matter; he began Mass anyway, saying the prayers aloud in Latin. A few minutes later he heard a male voice saying the Latin respo...

“If we had a mother who was a queen, would we not be proud of it? Well, we have a Mother who is Queen of Heaven.” (St. Louis de Montfort)

St. John Vianney (1786-1859) wrote many beautiful things about his devotion to the Blessed Mother. He assured us: “The heart of this good Mother is all love and mercy; she desires only to see us happy. We have only to tu...

Jesus and the Gospels present the ultimate model for the spiritual life —The Paschal Mystery. This includes Jesus’ Passion, Crucifixion, Resurrection and Ascension. St. Ignatius of Loyola insightfully articulated how the spiritual life consists of re...

At one time, evangelism, converting those outside the Church, was our most difficult and potentially rewarding task. For many on fire with the Faith it was the frontline of spiritual warfare and perhaps the most effective way to meet the Church’s greatest need. That time, however, has passed. I pray that it will come again, but for now our community has more challenging, more...