… the Russian female choir “Sirin” performs Psalm 136, in ancient russian traditional Orthodox style. From the french documentary “Le Silence des anges – Terres et voix de l’Orient Orthodoxe”. Read more

… you know how some churches have hospitality ministries where a bunch of people sign up to take turns bringing meals to other parishioners who are going through a serious illness or loss of a spouse or family member? The idea is to bring them prepared food to relieve them of the chore of fixing meals. I signed up for this… and it took less than three weeks for the leader of this ministry to call me and ask that... Read more

Guido Reni, St. Cecilia in her Glory Read more

… really now? It’s like Godwin’s Law for Catholics… comparing the ritual divide within The Church to segregation. Personally I try to refrain from trivializing significant events in history to make points. But what do I know. I’m just a simple Catholic not a famous theologian. Personally I’ve grown weary of the lament that not offering a TLM/MEF in every parish is akin to the very real oppression of racial segregation. It’s especially tasteless to bemoan the “unfairness of it... Read more

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… every year I try to make the majority of my purchases for Christmas from Catholic vendors or religious communities. It’s important that we give them our support. I hope you will take a moment and visit one such company. Family owned and operated, Trendy Traditions, sells some really unique handmade rosaries that can be personalized. Melanie & I have exchanged a few emails and we both share a strong love for the rosary because it has played significant roles... Read more

… I remember the hardest thing about prayer was actually doing it. In fact, it still is. Growing up prayer was never a routine in my childhood. As a young adult it was never a consideration either. Prayer was foreign and strange. When I converted, and while I was converting, I continued to struggle with prayer. I didn’t know that sometimes, yes, it will be dry. Yes it will feel like a perfunctory gesture devoid of any heartfelt sentiment. Yes,... Read more

… last week I traveled to Briscoe NC to hear an exorcist speak at Our Lady of the Americas parish. I wasn’t really sure what to expect, sensationalized ghost stories maybe. I’ll admit it, my morbid curiosity compelled me to make the almost two hour drive to hear Fr. Jose Antonio Fortea. I mean, how often do you get to hear an exorcist give a talk? There seemed to be a genuine desire amongst the people in attendance to hear... Read more

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