At the Heart of Worship – Survey Series #11

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Corresponds to Question 27 and 28 of the survey.

Worship is often at the center of our conversation with family, friends, and co-workers when we discuss spiritual and religious practices. Sociological and psychological studies and recent polls indicate that most people accept the existence of God. However, difficulties arise when talking about ways to relate to God, experience God, know God, or follow God’s call. This is precisely where the topic of worship makes a grand entrance, and how it occupies center place in our musings.

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Mission Matters: June 28, 2016

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This week’s “Parish Table Talk”: The feast of St. Mary Magdalene; Blessed Is She website; Top films for the Jubilee of Mercy; Faith formation resources for men; plus this Thursday’s blog post. Read more

A Reflection on Stewardship and Financial Perception- Survey Series #10

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Corresponds to Question 37 – 41 of the survey.

The financial health and vitality of your parish is in your hands.

I spent 25 years in the investment business. The thought that I’d one day be sitting here as the CFO of the Archdiocese never entered my head. I also never imagined that despite my previous career success, it would be this job that would demand more of my MBA than any other. “God put me in this job to teach me patience and humility.” That’s what I tell everyone.  There were only two finance guys in Jesus’ life: Matthew was a tax collector and Judas held the purse for the apostles. Patience and humility… Read more

Mission Matters: June 21, 2016

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This week’s “Parish Table Talk”: Thanksgiving Mass – Caribbean Catholics of North America; Father Cyril’s Jubilee of Mercy; New Mid-Atlantic Conference blog; Reminder – Canon Law workshop on Marriage, Divorce, and Annulment; plus this Thursday’s blog post. Read more

Ask the Master of the Harvest: Evangelizing for Vocations – Survey Series #9

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Corresponds to Question 34 of the survey.

When I was considering what to do with my life as a young adult I had various ideas, some more grounded than others. I wanted to make it big as a rock drummer but my ambition exceeded my chops. (I also had trouble doing fancy stick twirls.). I also had hopes of making big bucks in the business world or in a prestigious career in law. It was in the midst of this search that I began to see that my life was missing something. The options laid out for me just didn’t seem to be fulfilling or meaningful. Sure, such options provided a comfortable income (okay, maybe not the rock drummer option), but would I be happy – truly happy – doing any of these? I began to realize that life meant more than that, that I wanted to do something greater with my life: I wanted to live for someone other than myself. Read more

Mission Matters: June 14, 2016

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This week’s “Parish Table Talk”: Reminder – Fortnight for Freedom; Video series from the Liturgical Institute; Marriage Preparation sponsors and facilitators training; A Vlog  for the deaf;  A new priest for the Archdiocese of Baltimore;  plus this Thursday’s blog post. Read more

12 Ways to Be the “Hostess with the Mostess” – Survey Series #8

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Corresponds to Question 42 of the survey.

Recently, my brother and his family came for an overnight visit that, even though it was short, inevitably brought out my latent desire to be the “hostess with the mostess.” So, just before they arrived, I found myself stocking the bathrooms with clean towels and plenty of toilet paper, as well as randomly touching up paint where someone’s shoe had left a huge scuff mark, and frantically changing out the gross shower curtain liner for a new one. Read more

Mission Matters: June 7, 2016

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This week’s “Parish Table Talk”: Reminder – Order of Celebrating Matrimony workshop; Bishop Barron on Social Media and the Church; Webinar on effective parish leadership; Comedy and Catholic faith; An atheist opinion on marriage; A thank you from the Retreat House; Evangelization at Camp GLOW; plus this Thursday’s blog post. Read more

We Believe in One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church: Why Every Head Needs a Body – Survey Series #7

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Corresponds to Question 27 of the survey.

We just returned from our annual visit to see my wife’s family in Spain. As she does every year, my mother-in-law brought the whole family together for lunch. (By “lunch,” I mean a feast lasting an entire Sunday afternoon.) Everyone had already visited with us individually; but make no mistake: they were all obliged to attend. Read more