Deacon Kurt GodfrydIn 1975, the J. Walter Thompson advertising agency created a famous advertising campaign for the Eastman Kodak Company entitled “The Times of Your Life.” Set to music and vocals sung by Paul Anka, the campaign took our nation by...
The palm-tree is called in Hebrew tarmr, and in Greek phœnix. It is a dioecious tree, and belongs to the natural order Palmaceae. The plants of this interesting family are characterized by their tall, usually unbranched stems; their pinnate or fan...
On a summer day in the year 2000, Jack Sullivan was told by his surgeon that based on scans of his spine, surgery would be necessary to repair it. Later that day, dejected and suffering from intense pain, he tuned into a television program on the...
In the Gospel of Luke (5:1-11), Jesus turns to Simon Peter and says: “Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.” In reply, he speaks for himself and the other disciples: “Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing...
Every Christmas season, I look forward to the “Christmas Letters” section in the various publications that I receive. Many are reflections from readers that go way back, to times past. In reading them, however, what is most remarkable is that the...
For decades, E.F. Hutton was one of the most respected financial firms in the United States. While providing investors with solid investing advice, the firm became known for its powerful TV commercials. Their commercials were set at restaurants...
In the Gospel of Luke (13:6-9), Jesus provides us with the Parable of the Barren Fig Tree: There once was a person who had a fig tree planted in his orchard, and when he came in search of fruit on it but found none, he said to the gardener, ‘For...
Over lunch, a brother deacon recounted the story of his nephew’s First Holy Communion. He noted that after a period of great anticipation, the day had finally arrived. With family having traveled from near and far, all had made their way to the...
During the Middle Ages and Renaissance, jesters were employed by monarchs and noblemen to help them pass the time away. By their use of song, music, storytelling, acrobatics, juggling, jokes, and magic tricks, they assumed the role of poking fun at...
Cardinal Basil Hume, O.S.B., once remarked: “There is a gentle breeze if we can but catch it, which blows all the time to help us on our journey through life to our final destination. That breeze is the Holy Spirit. But the wind cannot be caught or...