INTO YOUR HANDS – JANUARY 2026 When I was a young child, I enjoyed playing with building blocks. Frequently, my siblings would come and topple my construction, but I would simply start building again. Soon, those blocks were replaced with Legos to construct much stronger and more intricate things. As …

Today, the bell tower of St. John the Baptist Church in Maria Stein is being carefully demolished following the collapse of the west wall of the church on Monday, December 29, 2025. Seven months after a fire ravaged St. John the Baptist Church, the west wall of the church collapsed …

Shayne Smith was born into a world of organized crime. He and his three brothers endured abuse at the hands of their step-father and ultimately took after him as full members in a motorcycle gang. Robbery and violent crime became their full-time jobs.  But then, Smith and his brothers chose …

The Church holds to the possibility that those who do not know God, through no fault of their own, can be saved. Despite the preaching of the Gospel in many parts of the world, some people have not yet heard it. Even in places where it has been preached, the …

by Dominick Albano I was told once that an old African catechism stated: Q: Why did God create the world? A: Because He thought we would like it. I’ve tried researching this, and frankly, I don’t know if it’s true. But it’s a wonderful idea regardless… the thought that the …

By Francesca Pollio Fenton Jan 4, 2026 / 04:00 am Have you ever walked past a door and seen what appears to be random letters and numbers written at the top? These letters and numbers actually have a great significance. Traditionally on the feast of Epiphany, Catholics bless their homes by …

As the holiday lights begin to dim and the New Year settles in, a centuries-old tradition marks the transition from Christmas to the vibrant spirit of Carnival. Twelfth Night, falling on January 5 or 6, 2026, is the official herald of the King Cake season. The Meaning of Twelfth Night Twelfth Night …

by David Cooley Sacred music holds a central place in Catholic worship. An integral element of the liturgy, it elevates the soul toward God, fosters communal unity, and deepens the faithful’s encounter with divine mysteries. Rooted in Scripture and Church tradition, it beautifies prayer, promotes contemplation, and distinguishes itself from …

As the Church celebrates the Second Sunday of Christmas, Jenny Kraska offers her thoughts on the day’s Gospel reading. By Jenny Kraska The Gospel of Matthew tells us that “…Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is the newborn king of the Jews?’” (Mt 2:1-2). These Wise Men …

As Tamara (pseudonym) drove to her abortion appointment, the radio played an ad for Pregnancy Center Plus (PCPlus). Her eyes welled with tears. In that moment, she changed course and drove directly to PCPlus. She was 12-weeks pregnant, her boyfriend had recently died in a car crash, and she was …