Bees, Hives, and Honey
Here are some amazing facts about bees, those creatures that provide us with honey, wax, fruit and vegetables.
The Rosary, a Lifeline
October is the month of the Rosary. Do you know its history and why we pray it?
Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament
St. Pope Pius X said that Mary’s title Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament is perhaps the most meaningful of all. In this second part of my talk last week, you will see why. “Mary can guide us toward this most holy sacrament because she herself has a profound relationship with it,” St. Pope […]
St. Joseph, Second Greatest Saint, a Foster Father
In a humorous video on Facebook, a man lamented that St. Patrick’s feast was celebrated in grand style, while the Solemnity of St. Joseph two days later was observed quietly. This subdued celebration reflects the personality of the foster father of Jesus. The Gospels report not one word that he spoke. (By the way, the […]
Ways to Learn/Teach about Mary
After months of preparing for my talk at the NCEA convention, it’s all over! I will give it a longer life by sharing part of it with you. May, the month dedicated to Mary, is right around the corner. You may wish to adopt any of the following ideas for yourself, your family, or your […]
Mary at the Annunciation
Monsignor Moriarty, the censor and advisor for our Christ Our Life series, was adamant that we refer to March 25 as the Annunciation of the Lord. We usually associate this solemnity with the Blessed Virgin Mary. But it’s really the celebration of the first moment of the Incarnation, when almighty God initiates the process of […]
Faces of Mary in Honor of the Assumption
I remember that as a child I drew our Blessed Mother over and over. I tried to make her as lovely as possible. Over the centuries she has been a favorite subject of a number of artists…more talented than I’ll ever be. She has been portrayed to represent various cultures. The other year my retreat […]
When You Need a Life Jacket
Years ago when I was overwhelmed by a seemingly impossible task and beset by criticism, lack of support, and bad luck, a woman I didn’t know came to visit. She proposed another job for me to consider taking on. As I walked her to her car, I said, “Pray for me.” Right then and there […]
Advent Overshadowing of the Holy Spirit
The three so-called Advent figures are the Blessed Virgin Mary (of course), John the Baptist (the Lord’s precursor), and the prophet Isaiah (who spoke of the Messiah and God’s kingdom). To my thinking, the predominant Person was omitted from this line up, namely, the Holy Spirit. Yes, the Father sent the Son to save humankind, […]
Inspired, Empowered by the Holy Spirit
Fr. Theodore Hesburgh, CSC, was the President of Notre Dame University for 35 years. He was also involved in myriad government, international, and Church projects. One day someone asked him, “So, how’d you do it all?” Fr. Hesburgh replied, “Every morning, I pray, ‘Come, Holy Spirit’ … and away we go.” I love that story. […]