With Blizzards – and Lent – Attitude is Everything

“Are you throwing snow for the dogs to play?” asked my three-year old son, Samuel. I stopped shoveling, straightened up with my hand on my sore lower back, and looked around, dumbfounded. “Well, yes, I guess I am.” When Jesus said, “unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven,” He knew exactly what He was talking about. Read more

Mission Matters: Jan. 26, 2016

This week’s “Parish Table Talk”:  MAC is 9 days away; Inter-generational Family Gatherings for the Year of Mercy; More Year of Mercy Resources; ACTS Men’s Retreat and Lent will soon be here, plus this Thursday’s Blog post. Read more

“Before This, I Had Never Felt Worthy to Approach God. . . .”

“Let the Church always be a place of mercy and hope, where everyone is welcomed, loved, and forgiven.” Pope Francis.

We are a Church of mercy.

Does the young mother who feels as if she has committed the unforgivable sin know that? Does the father who did not stand by the mother of his child in a time of fear know that? Does the grieving grandparent or aunt or uncle know that? Read more

Mission Matters: Jan. 19, 2016

This week’s “Parish Table Talk”:  Mid-Atlantic Congress is almost here; March for Life; New video for the Year of Mercy; and Transitions (Carol Pacione), plus this Thursday’s Blog post. Read more

Just One Step to a More Generous Community

Step 1 of 1: Gratitude

I could end the blog with that one word. But I’ll continue and hit a higher word count so I get invited back to write again. Read more

Mission Matters: Jan. 12, 2016

This week’s “Parish Table Talk”: Holy Door Passports;  Best Lent Ever; How Can Mercy Bring out the Best in Your Marriage; MAC Mega Workshops and Transitions (Edward Herrera and Rachel Harkins Ullman), plus this Thursday’s Blog post. Read more

Two Ways You and Your Parishioners Can Be Faithful Citizens in 2016

Faithful Citizenship. What exactly does it mean to be a “faithful citizen”? In The Challenge of Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, the US Bishops state: “In the Catholic Tradition, responsible citizenship is a virtue, and participation in political life is a moral obligation … Read more

Mission Matters: Jan. 5, 2016

This week’s “Parish Table Talk”: Lent is Coming; Mercy Now; Lobby Night; Annapolis 101 and Transitions, plus this Thursday’s Blog post. Read more