From the Christmas archives comes this article at the Imaginative Conservative in which I ask what’s good, bad and indifferent about Santa Claus. Some time ago a pastor friend of mine incurred the wrath of a squadron of militant mama bears when he preached at a school service against Santa—calling him a “fat pagan elf.” The good priest meant to extol the virtues of Saint Nicholas, but his iconoclasm of a contemporary Christmas icon was not appreciated and the complaints... Read more

Every year my Baptist neighbor puts a sign in his front yard, “Keep Christ in Christmas” and I’m tempted to get a sign for my front yard which says, “Keep Mass in Christmas”. Despite the un-ecumenical impulse, I agree with my neighbor’s yearly cliche. Furthermore, this Christmas I’m feeling that keeping Christ in Christmas isn’t really enough. I look around at our society and see the Jesus Christ is absent everywhere. Forgive me for feeling grumpy, but America in 2015... Read more

One of the riveting themes within the Star Wars saga is the existence of monasticism. The Jedi Knights are also monks. Connecting with the warrior monks of Eastern religions, they also connect with the religious orders of knights in medieval Christendom. The Jedi clearly  remind of the spiritual truths of the New Testament where St Paul says “We wrestle not agents flesh and blood, but against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Throughout the Star Wars saga it is made clear... Read more

I went to see the new Star Wars film last night. It was pretty much a re-make of A New Hope  but it was fun and I enjoyed it. It was certainly better than the plastic and shallow prequels. It was great to see Han and Leia back in the story and I loved seeing Luke as a monk at Skellig Michael. I do have a grumble however. (WARNING: little bit of a spoiler coming up) Why do film makers feel... Read more

There is a curious range of reactions to my blog posts that “attack” people. Some progressives accuse me of being an angry, white, male reactionary, arch traditionalist who longs for a pre Vatican 2 church. Meanwhile some conservatives accuse me of being a spineless shill, a “neo con” sell out, member of the Patheeos Francis Church club of pseudo conservatives. Ho hum. Fact of the matter is, (apart from Donald Trump) I try not to attack people, and I try not... Read more

You can go here to listen to my homily for the Fourth Sunday in Advent on two of the Four Last Things: Heaven and Hell Read more

As part of our pilgrimage to Poland we will have the opportunity to pass through the Holy Door which is actually at the Shrine to the Divine Mercy itself! This really is a once in a  lifetime opportunity. Come along with me to visit sites associated with Pope St John Paul II, see his birthplace, his cathedral and the place he was ordained. Visit the shrine to the Divine Mercy and sites associated with St Faustina and Maximilian Kolbe. Go... Read more

Dave Armstrong picks on Michael Voris over here for suggesting that Pope Benedict XVI was shamming illness so he could play hookey from the papacy. Armstrong goes on to point out how dissident conservative Catholics often end up going off the deep end completely. No one is ever as faithful as they are. No one else is ever as orthodox as they are. No one else is every so liturgically correct as they are. You know the sort. For some time... Read more

We have started posting my homilies on the Our Lady of the Rosary website To listen to my homily for the Third Sunday of Advent go here Read more