Catholic by Choice

How many times have you heard the charge that the Catholic Church opposes “Stem Cell Research”? You know  – the insinuation is that this antiquated remnant of the middle ages, run by old men, is somehow impeding human and scientific progress. Well, not only is the claim absolutely untrue from a factual perspective, it is…

With the first US Presidential debate of the season behind us campaign 2012 is underway in the United States. The issues presented in an election of such significance will immediately engage the entire Christian community. Putting aside the schizophrenic notion that we can ever separate the “moral” and “social” issues from everything else (which Christians,…

On this mothers day, I am drawn once again to reflection on motherhood and its meaning. Many years ago I was an invited guest at a celebration of the life and ministry of an evangelical Protestant leader. It was a “black tie” affair, accompanied with all the fanfare. I was one of only a few…

The Second Sunday of Easter is “Divine Mercy Sunday” in the Catholic liturgical calendar. This year, it also became the day when beloved Pope John Paul II was beatified. Our Gospel (John 20: 19-31) recounted one of the Post-Resurrection appearances of Jesus Christ to his disciples, where Jesus appears to his disciples, coming through locked…

In keeping with the ancient Christian tradition the Catholic Church celebrates Easter for an octave, eight days. These days are seen as one continual celebration of the great event which forever changed human history. The octave opens into a liturgical season called Easter which concludes on the Feast of Pentecost, when the promised Holy Spirit…

In the Liturgical Year of the Catholic Church we are in the “Octave” of Easter. The word means eight. This “Feasts of Feasts” as the early Christians called the Resurrection, stretches out for eight days. It was on the first day of the week that Jesus was raised from the dead and began the new…

Death was dealt a fatal blow at the wounded but glorified hands of the Warrior of love. Nothing can separate us from that Love incarnated in the Crucified, Risen Son of the True and Living God. Alleluia! The tomb is empty. Death could not contain the One who poured Himself out in Love. The light…

Years ago, I served as Deacon at the solemn “Celebration of the Lords Passion” at Christ the King parish. This is the liturgy of Good Friday in the catholic Church. I had just carried the Cross into the waiting assembly chanting three times: “This is the wood of the Cross, on which hung the Savior…

Last Sunday we celebrated Passion or Palm Sunday to begin what is called the Great or Holy Week. Just prior to the reading of the Passion Narrative, we heard proclaimed one of the most ancient of the passages contained within the Sacred Scripture. St. Paul´s powerful words concerning Jesus´ great self emptying, in Greek, His “kenosis”,…

“Beginning with the Easter Triduum as its source of light, the new age of the Resurrection fills the whole liturgical year with its brilliance. Gradually, on either side of this source, the year is transfigured by the liturgy” (Catechism of the Catholic Church) The Easter Triduum begins with the Vigil of Holy Thursday. It marks…

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