In the middle of the 19th century, there was a six-year-old boy down South, whom we’ll call Mark. His parents had just died, and a well-to-do aunt who lived nearby took him in and raised him as if he were her own son. He grew up, received a good...
This month I was fortunate to attend the largest analytical chemistry conference in the United States. The Pittsburgh conference, or “Pittcon” as it is referred too, is so big that only a few cities have convention facilities large enough to handle...
In order to appreciate and benefit from what the Church offers to our consideration every first Sunday of Lent there are several facets of the narrative of the temptations of Jesus in the desert that we have to keep before our eyes. We have to see...
Over fifty years ago, there was a man named Ken who was widely-known for his calm, peaceful approach to life; nothing ever seemed to bother or upset him. A friend named Arthur asked him, “Ken, what’s your secret?” In response, Ken got up, opened a...
We should be grateful to Jesus (Mt 6:24-34) also for revealing to us this side of our heavenly Father’s tender heart. Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life...
About ten years ago a Muslim in Afghanistan named John was age 23, and married with a young son. John’s father, an important tribal chieftain and a leader in the Taliban terrorist group, sent John to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, so that...
Do not be afraid any longer, little flock. I love these words. I love especially the adjective “little.” It speaks of tenderness, of an irresistible urge to protect, to hold tight to one’s heart, to cherish most dearly. And what makes this...
In the 1930s a struggling Lebanese-American night-club performer in Detroit, named Amos Jacobs, had a big problem. His wife Rose Marie had just given birth to their first child, a girl named Marlo, at a local hospital—but the family was too poor to...
