One thing that both amuses and frightens me about Jesus is His table manners or, better and more honestly put, His table mates. In contrast to the ascetical practices of John the Baptist, Jesus is accused of being “a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners” …

Driving home this past weekend from visiting my in-laws, the highway had grown increasingly flat and monotonous. Even with the window down and radio on, I was starting to tire. What I needed was a caffeine boost to get me through the last hour and a half of the drive …

February 28, 2011 By Michael Daley I don’t often quote Latin, but if you say this phrase loud enough, you can either scare someone out of hell or condemn them to it — “Extra ecclesiam nulla salus” (“Outside the church there is no salvation”).

January 27, 2011 By Michael Daley I know you’ve heard them, maybe even passed them along.

Wednesday, December 22, 2010   By Mike Daley   As a teacher, much of my focus and attention is framed by two dates – the first and last day of the school year. In addition to that, rather than months or seasons, I divide my year into quarters and semesters.

Thursday, October 21, 2010 By Michael Daley Even to the most casual observer, this summer was hot. As the temperatures rose, people sought refuge in their homes. They closed their windows and cranked up their air conditioners. Thankfully, fall has arrived. With it people are finally opening their windows again …

Thursday, September 23, 2010 By Michael Daley It was the closing hymn. Fittingly, since it was the feast of the Assumption, the selection was “Sing of Mary, Pure and Lowly.” Turning the pages to that song, I was stopped in my tracks. Someone had written in the hymnal.  I was …

Thursday, July 22, 2010 By Michael Daley Wanting to test my hypothesis I asked my wife what word came to her mind after ”St. Rita’s.” Without missing a beat, she replied, “festival.” Was there any other possibility? Yes, I know that St. Rita is a school for deaf children, but the …

Thursday, June 24, 2010 By Michael Daley After a long day of teaching, I returned home to an unexpectedly quiet house. This was surprising, given that my wife was out of town and our three kids were with a babysitter. A little alarmed, I looked around the house. Nearby I …

Thursday, April 22, 2010 By Michael Daley Even to the most casual observer, it’s been easy to see that the church has been taking it pretty hard on the chin lately. Most of the blows, sadly, have been self-inflicted. It’s like I keep hearing the deafening echo in my ears of …