2015-03-12T16:45:34-07:00

Last updated on: March 12, 2015 at 4:45 pm   By

I LOVE the type of transparency and openness which is at the heart of today’s article from Bishop Tobin of Providence. In the piece, he expresses his concerns openly and with empathy as he addresses pastoral care for divorced and remarried Catholics. Bishop Tobin’s remarks point to a compelling dialogue which will likely unfold at the extraordinary Synod. Among other things, the Bishop writes: Well, for starters, can we at least think about simplifying the annulment process so that it’s... Read more

2015-03-12T16:45:34-07:00

Last updated on: March 12, 2015 at 4:45 pm   By

You’ve been hearing about it, and if you’re Catholic you really should pay attention to the upcoming extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the Family to be held in Rome from October 5-19. Why does it matter if we pay attention? Because if past experiences hold true, the media will be filled during those opening days of the Synod with reports about what’s happening in Rome. And it is likely that many of those reports will be filled with inaccuracies. Our friends... Read more

2015-03-12T16:45:35-07:00

Last updated on: March 12, 2015 at 4:45 pm   By

Not much time for a long reflection on this today, but I need to point you to Pope Francis’ homily for today’s gospel (Luke 7:36-50) and particularly one portion which has stayed with me all morning: “The privileged place to encounter Jesus Christ is in our sins”. Pope Francis observed that this may seem like “heresy” but St. Paul also said as much when he said he would boast of only two things: his sins and the Risen Christ who... Read more

2015-03-12T16:45:35-07:00

Last updated on: March 12, 2015 at 4:45 pm   By

This morning, as I prayed my way through 1st Corinthians chapters 12 and 13, I had four faces ringing in my heart. Today’s epistle continues from where we left off yesterday, pivoting into a passage that many of us proclaimed at our wedding ceremonies. At the heart of it are the words that stuck in my throat today: Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, love is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude,... Read more

2015-03-12T16:45:35-07:00

Last updated on: March 12, 2015 at 4:45 pm   By

I had some fruitful prayer time this morning not only with the day’s readings, but also with a manuscript for a terrific book that will be launching within the next several months. That reading time came after I’d already enjoyed my morning prayer time. One particular verse from 1st Corinthians 12 was stuck in my head: Strive eagerly for the greatest spiritual gifts. I’ve read this particular chapter of Paul’s epistle scores of times. Somehow, I always clung to the preceding... Read more

2015-03-12T16:45:36-07:00

Last updated on: March 12, 2015 at 4:45 pm   By

As a Catholic geek, I love the fact that when our Bishops do something as important as take a “Peace Pilgrimage” in the Holy Land, they go out of their way to share it with the faithful using the latest tools of technology. An overview of the trip is provided by the USCCB: This week, 18 U.S. bishops began a pilgrimage to pray for peace in the Holy Land. The bishops and their dioceses are sharing their insights into what... Read more

2015-03-12T16:45:36-07:00

Last updated on: March 12, 2015 at 4:45 pm   By

Recently, I received the following press release about an excellent event that is being held this month. I wondered at the fact that this is the 22nd “International Week of Prayer and Fasting”, but only my first time to know about it. The nine day event will be kicked with an international conference on September 20 at the National Shrine in Washington D.C. with a host of fantastic speakers. But even if we can’t be there in person that day,... Read more

2015-03-12T16:45:36-07:00

Last updated on: March 12, 2015 at 4:45 pm   By

If you could please spare a prayer, I am at a family funeral this weekend. As we gather to grieve the loss of a loved one, I am reminded how moments like this are at once filled with sorrow, and with tremendous grace. In the transitions of life, we also experience moments of great potential for God’s perfect will to unfold in our lives. I have few words to express this, but the words of Pope Francis’ tweet — shared... Read more

2015-03-12T16:45:37-07:00

Last updated on: March 12, 2015 at 4:45 pm   By

Not many words are necessary to accompany this amazing firsthand look at those impacted by the ongoing crisis in Iraq. Catholic Relief Services’ Communications Officer Caroline Brennan shares from the heart about what is being done to aid those most impacted by the ongoing violence in the region: If you can get past the frames at around the 19th second of the video without tears in your eyes, I’ll be amazed. We talk a lot about religious freedom and persecution,... Read more

2015-03-12T16:45:37-07:00

Last updated on: March 12, 2015 at 4:45 pm   By

In the past few days, I have been peripherally involved with three situations involving potential bad behavior. All three situations occurred in digital arenas. None of the three overtly said, “I am going to ____”, but each of them were phrases that indicated physical or emotional harm. And these weren’t kids cyberbullying. They were grown ups. This is a tricky aspect of digital communication. I asked myself this morning how many times in the past month I’d jokingly said, “I’d... Read more

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