A boy who was swimming in a lake one summer day went out too far and found himself in danger of drowning; fortunately, a man saw what was happening, and at the risk of his own life, swam out and rescued him. Afterwards the boy said, “Thank you for...
There was once a 4th grade teacher named Donna who realized early in the school year that it was necessary to boost her students’ self-confidence, so she decided to have an “I Can’t” day. All the students spent time writing down things they wanted...
One day in New York City, a man was walking in a park when he heard the sound of music. Looking around, he saw two young men, one playing an accordion and the other a violin. The man was enchanted by their lively music, and stopped to listen, as did...
Once upon a time there was a cobbler, or shoe-maker, who lived a simple lifestyle, worked hard, and was very happy with life; people passing his shop could hear him singing at the top of his voice as he fixed shoes, and he had a wave and a smile for...
A young woman with an attitude, whom we’ll call Nadine, rebelled against her parents’ religious beliefs and practices, saying, “I’ve had it with your God. I don’t need Him, or you—so I’m leaving.” Nadine left home and went off to the big...
An important 19th century preacher and religious leader named Henry Ward Beecher was famous for his eloquent oratory and his powerful opposition to slavery, and his words and example carried great influence in American society. As a boy, he...
An American missionary priest spent many years in Taiwan helping the poor, and he was very experienced and very good at what he did. When he returned to the United States, he became involved in a different kind of missionary work: a movement in New...
One of the most famous and influential justices of the U. S. Supreme Court was Oliver Wendell Holmes, who served on the Court for thirty years at the beginning of the 20th century. He was known for his brilliant mind—and also for being rather absent...
In 1923 an important business meeting was held in Chicago, and among those attending were nine of the world’s most successful money-makers: the presidents of the largest independent steel company, utility company, and gas company; the greatest wheat...
Once there was a young man—we’ll call him William—who was determined to make himself a successful businessman, regardless of the cost. He established his own small company, and because, in addition to the 60+ hours he worked each week, he was always...
Fr Joseph Esper