The life of a vocation director seems to be straight out of the Parable of the Sower that Jesus tells in Matthew 13. Having held this position for eight years, only this year am I finally able to witness men whom I first worked with to discern the seminary and …

When last I left this column, I was still trying to recover from a break-in at the parish rectory. While it was a moment for me to reflect on the vulnerability that Christ faced in both becoming Incarnate and facing the trials of Holy Week, another (much more welcome) scenario …

As many young adults do, my first inclination in the morning is to grab my phone or tablet to check messages and status updates that came in through the night. Plus, I often use my tablet to say the Office, email, Facebook, Twitter, play a few games here and there, …

This coming March 18, the Archdiocese of Cincinnati is participating for the first time in a national campaign simply titled “The Light is On for You.” Begun in New York, it is a night where every parish throughout the archdiocese will have confessions offered from 7-9 p.m. It has met …

At the initial meeting I have with an engaged couple to begin their preparation for married life, I always start with how they met and why they are now sitting across from me thinking about getting married. It is enjoyable to me to hear their stories and to see in …

As Catholics, we are called to be unapologetically pro-life.  Throughout the history of the church, there has been an undeniable identity with the one who has no voice: the poor, the vulnerable, the disabled.  All too frequently in the last two millennia, the church was the only voice that spoke …

As I write this, I am currently attending the National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Directors convention in Dallas. It is a week of formation, learning, friendship and sharing of stories regarding how the work of vocations is going across the country.

The Catholic Moment, September 2013 Ah, the dawn of a new school year. By early September, schools have been at the grind for a few weeks; teachers have gotten to know the personality of their student; and students are trying to test new ways of aggravating their teachers! It is …

I have a bit of a reputation for being a ‘social media’ priest. I post on Twitter (@FatherSchnippel) fairly frequently, and lurk through the pages of Facebook on a regular basis as well.  (Confession: I still do not get Instagram.) Recently on Twitter, I saw this tweet from Christina Mead …

The dog days of summer are hitting, fast.  School is out, vacations are happening, The pace of life seems to slow down.  Even in the Church, there are a few important feasts that are celebrated throughout the summer months, but we begin our long, slow slog through Ordinary Time with …