We’ve got a new round of Catholic internet drama going, and it hardly matters what the excitement is this time. I’m keeping my nose out of it, because otherwise my post will lose its perennial freshness. Ever ancient, ever new — that’s Catholic craziness for you. Meanwhile, for those who haven’t sworn off iGossip and taken up gardening or macrame, here’s my three top tips for keeping your head on straight and your friendships in order, even when someone’s wrong... Read more
“If you’re not living for God and only for God, you are going to end up teaching something short of the Catholic faith.” –Me, talking catechesis with Fr. Dwight Longenecker. Artwork courtesy of Catholic Radio in South Carolina Read more
At Mass Wednesday, Father E., who can’t get his hair cut without every daily-Mass-goer weighing in on the wisdom of his grooming habits, did a preemptive strike on What Happened to Ascension Thursday?! complainers. The thrust of his homily: The bishops in their wisdom moved the observance of the feast to Sunday so that as many people as possible might hear this most important message. How important is this message? It’s so pivotal to our faith that when Melanie Bettinelli invited... Read more
At this writing, I am the poster child for Better Living Through Chemistry. If we were to rely on a drug-ad cliche to sum up the post-prescription transformation, one might reach for the old reliable, “I got my life back!” And that would be nonsense. I’m not ungrateful, I’m tremendously grateful. I’m thoroughly enjoying this dramatic change in circumstance. I certainly don’t mean to squash the happiness of anyone who’s experienced some similar reprieve. Nor would I ever dismiss the... Read more
Over at the Catholic Writers Guild, I share my private correspondence for the good of many. Because yes, if you’re a Catholic writer — or aspiring Catholic writer — you really ought to register and attend the Catholic Writers Conference if you can. The Catholic Writers Conference is just two months away now, and you might be wondering, “Should I go to Chicago? Is it worth it?” You aren’t the only one. From my inbox: So the CWG Live conference. My... Read more
So what happens at Mass again? What makes it different? In Christ, time and space open up, like a passage to Narnia. I don’t mean that in some vaguely pseudo-mystical way. I mean it in cold, hard reality. . . . We were made to live with God, to see Him face to face, to walk with Him every evening in the garden. We weren’t made to live so separate. It hurts. We want to see the door, we want to... Read more
Update & thanks to the many people who have prayed for me this spring: We may have a solution. Saw Dr. Maybe on Friday for assorted testing, after which he proposed a trial run of a new prescription. Results so far: Astonishingly effective. We still need to figure out dosages, side effects, see how it goes over the long haul, etc. etc., not to mention the inevitable rehab. But it is, at least, a very strong start. *** Memorial Day.... Read more
This afternoon the IHM Homeschool Conference opens in Charlotte, NC. Carolina-region folks, go to it if you can. It’s free, so you can do as much or as little as you are able. This is a fantastic event — quiet, not overwhelming, with a retreat-like quality you can only get at a site like Belmont Abbey. Fr. Dwight Longenecker has two slots today (Friday) and Dale Ahlquist stars tomorrow (Saturday). How can you not want to go? *** Something cool to... Read more
In your frustration, loneliness, isolation, pain, turmoil, desolation, and death . . . there is nothing God can’t redeem. God who made everything out of nothing is not going to be thwarted. God who turned the ultimate evil into the ultimate good is not going to let your suffering go to waste. Don’t be afraid. Photo by Koustav2007 (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons Read more
I got a note from Bryan Murdaugh this morning about my freshly-pressed column up at New Evangelizers, I am totally publishing it. You would, too, you know you would. Your article made its way into my inbox this morning, and once again, bravo! You have such an amazing way of bringing practical truths into the lens of things important for the faithful. It reminds me of who-knows-how-many-million young people (and their accompanying adults) I have reminded that Sunday Mass is... Read more
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In