Several years ago, a well known deacon within my archdiocese prepared a “trap” for those attending the monthly diaconate formation session being held at a suburban parish. This deacon is an unusual individual, even by the askew standards...
I’d like to share with you a story of Christmas generosity and sacrifice. In my humble opinion, the hand of God is firmly in control of these events. It is always with a certain amount of trepidation that I make requests for contributions, having...
As we wind down to the end of the Church year, we are given scripture readings that really challenge us to really think about our lives. The message in the readings of the season couldn’t be more clear. We are expected to take care of the least of...
O. K. I’ll admit, this is being published after Respect Life Sunday because I missed the day. Even so, I stand by my title for this article. “Respect Life” isn’t about a day. It’s a mindset that has to be ongoing if ever our broader society is to...
This is a very special weekend. Not only is it Memorial Day, a time when we honor and remember those who have gone before us, and particularly those who died in defense of our freedom. Yesterday, my wife and I celebrated our thirty-fourth wedding...
I’ve spent my secular career, my “day job,” if you will, in the technology business. I was a “computer geek” long before it was considered cool. I got my first PDA in 1980. That was more than 20 years before the first Blackberries came to market...
This week, I received an e-mail from my elder godson. He wrote to ask me if I would be willing to officiate at his wedding. To say the least, I felt honored to be asked and began to think nostalgically about the day of his baptism. It’s impossible...
The role of the father in our society has evolved, at least in the course of my lifetime, but there are certain bedrock principles of fatherhood that don’t change. Every child needs the love and guidance that is best provided by a father and best...
