Archive: January 2013

Parish Hopping

Parish hopping is defined as moving from parish to parish in the hope of finding the “right” one. It is the Catholic version of the “church hopping” found in Evangelical, Pentecostal, and some mainline Protestant churches. (Some interesting...

Placing Our Trust In Him

Placing Our Trust In Him

Back in the 1920s, in the days of Prohibition, it was illegal for most Americans to own, make, or use any form of alcohol. Naturally, many people disobeyed this law, and black-market providers of alcohol—known as bootleggers—were able to make a lot...

Everyone Has A Vocation

When most people hear the word vocation, they automatically think of priests or religious brothers and sisters.   I thought the same.  Many years ago, I began to feel called by God.  I did not know to what I was being called, but the call was...

Until The Day We Die

Until The Day We Die

And they were gone. Once the Savior of the world had extended an invitation to join Him, many left their former lives and followed Him. If one were to gaze at the sand, only their footprints could be found. In our lives, such a call would likely...

Eucharist: To Give Thanks

Last week I wrote about the Liturgy of the Word. This week our focus will be on the Liturgy of the Eucharist. The word “eucharist” comes from the Greek word meaning “to give thanks.” We gather as an assembly to give thanks to God for all of the...

An Inaugural Like No Other

An Inaugural Like No Other

All of us are quite familiar with inaugural addresses, especially when presidents of our country take office and begin their elected terms. Some of these addresses are, of course, more memorable than others. Unfortunately much of the content of...

Do Young Girls Still Dream?

Do Young Girls Still Dream?

A few days ago, I saw the new film version of the musical Les Miserables.  I have seen several on-stage performances of the play and consider it my favorite musical.  The big-screen production is magnificent, and the star-studded cast does a great...

Where’s The Jobs?

Remember the advertising slogan – “Where’s the beef?”  Now it is “Where’s the jobs?” People who are in their mid to late 50s who would otherwise be working for another 10 years or more now may simply decide to stay out of the labor market.  That is...