BETTER TO GIVE Few customs have suffered more than the custom of giving gifts at Christmas. Commercialism and exploitation are two of the chief malefactors; sentimentality is another But for all the super merchandising, the phony glitter and the abuse of carols and even the scriptures, giving gifts continues to …

St. James the Greater Third graders in White Oak enjoyed some time with the University of Cincinnati Bearcat on the basketball court

After the general assembly sent two pro-life bills to Governor John Kasich last week, opponents of abortion and abortion promoters held their breath to see what he would do. Today, they had their answer. If the governor had done nothing, both bills (one banning abortion as soon as a fetal …

Five community partners have come together to ensure the revitalization of the Montgomery County Fairgrounds will support community and economic development as well as complement the growth and positive momentum already occurring in the area. Montgomery County, the City of Dayton and the Montgomery County Agricultural Society have agreed in …

Eleven men publically declared their commitment to a program of formation for service to God and to the Catholic Church as priests on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Catholic Church, through Bishop Joseph Binzer, publically accepted the aspirants into the ranks of the …

The Catholic Church seems to be engaged in a slugfest. I know a scant bit about boxing because my Dad enjoyed the sport, something he learned in the Army. He felt the manly art of self-defense was something I needed to learn because I was hopelessly not fleet of foot. …

Believe or not, a large number of students at Our Lady of Lourdes School in Western Hills are choosing a lab experience after lunch over the playground. “At lunchtime it is optional for our students. Rather than going to the cafeteria and playground, they can eat their lunch and go …

William Cross’s mother wasn’t exactly thrilled when he converted to the Catholic faith. Back then, in 1964, he was a University of Cincinnati student on scholarship to study business administration. “She was very skeptical about my conversion,” he recalls. She was even more adamant, a little over a year later, …

As Paul Stanbery was composing “I Maximilian…”a piece in honor of the 75th anniversary of the martyrdom of St. Maximilian Kolbe, he felt an eerie sensation that he was being led to the various elements he used in the tribute. The composition made its debut Oct. 29 on the anniversary …

By Patricia McGeever A novena is a devotion consisting of nine days of prayer or service. A pilgrimage is a journey to a sacred place, also a religious devotion. Catholic author Marge Fenelon combines the two practices in her book, Our Lady, Undoer of Knots, A Living Novena, and takes …