Have you ever heard the expression, “Once a Catholic always a Catholic?” All of us know someone who never goes to church but thinks of them self as Catholic. We received that gift of Catholic identity from our family and from God. Baptism came to so many as infants. Through …

Have you ever found yourself doubting your faith? I am not talking about serious doubt. I am referring to “pop-up” doubts. You are driving to work and, without prompting, your mind wanders to the funeral you attended last week. You ask yourself: “What if there is nothing after death?” This …

Running through the airport, you realize you’re late for your flight. You forgot your watch, so you ask a well-dressed young business traveler for the time. He pulls out his cell phone to give you the time. You think to yourself, “Hmmm… he forgot his watch too.” It’s time for …

“Leap and there will be a net.” This little message has resonated in my heart since I first heard it. It is as if the Holy Spirit wants it known that we should be taking risks if we really believe what we profess. Discipleship is no place for people who …

Recently, while working in a parish to get the public school kids to sign up for Sunday morning religion classes, a young mom looked at me with a face of a woman about to panic. Overwhelmed, she said, “I can’t manage one more thing. We had three soccer games this …

Catholic Thoughts, September 2013 This is pitiful! Recently, an archdiocesan priest was teaching a class for catechetical certification for teachers and volunteers. The class included 28 Catholic schoolteachers. To change things up a bit, Father thought it would be fun to randomly ask the teachers a few questions of faith. …

“Honey moon, keep a-shinin’ in June” are lyrics from an old love song our great-grandparents sang. The musical sentiment advised us that the month of June is a great time to rekindle the passion of honeymoon days. So, how’s that going at your house?

The tomato wars are about to begin. Hundreds of local gardeners have their starts under grow lights and can’t wait to plant their little seedlings. It isn’t sugarplums they dream of. It is big, juicy tomatoes, straight from the garden on a warm August day. The dream includes a “mater-sandwich:” …

Thousands of Catholics in our archdiocese will come to Mass on Easter Sunday. At least 40 percent of these good people haven’t been to church since Christmas. For their sake and for the sake of all of us who are so pleased to see them, I offer a few instructions …