Brian and Stacy and their three children went on a life-changing vacation on the Carolina shore last summer. One morning, an incident occurred that Brian still cannot shake. As he was walking the pier as the sun rose, he noticed a swimmer struggling in a riptide far from shore. In …

The commercial begins with a real nostalgic feel to it. Old photos in the background. Catchy tune in the air. It then proceeds to ask three generations the same question: When you were a kid what did you do for fun? The “grandparent” generation speaks of blueberry picking and growing …

Dear Father: I hate to sound cynical and tired, but do we really need a Year of Mercy after all the specially designated Years (Jubilee Year, Rosary, Eucharist, St. Paul, Faith, Consecrated Life, etc.) we have had? Dear Reader: Yes. We need such a year. Recently I attended a talk on Luke’s …

It is officially over. Pope Francis has gone back to the Vatican for a well-deserved rest. Now commentators are left to ask what lasting difference, if any, has his visit had on America. For me, the lasting effect of Pope Francis’ trip remains a deep and lingering question: Is America …

Do you know any little people? I am not talking about short people. I am talking about people who have a servant mentality. Little is a spiritual term for those who live out the gospel challenge to lay down our life for another. What I am noticing is that there …

Dear Father: What’s the purpose of a homily? Is it to reflect on the scriptures, to teach or give catechism, to talk about the saint of the day or current events?  Dear Reader: The answer to your questions can be found in recent church documents. Your question deals with the …

Running through the airport, you realize you’re late for your flight. You forgot your watch, so you ask a well-dressed young business traveler for the time. He pulls out his cell phone to give you the time. You think to yourself, “Hmmm… he forgot his watch too.” It’s time for …

If anyone doubted that Major League Baseball plays a vital role in the life of this city, the hosting of the 2015 All-Star Game July 14 should have cleared the matter up. The celebrations, the recognition of local heroes and the crowds drawn downtown to fight weather, traffic, media tweeters …

  Dear Father: Why aren’t non-Catholics allowed to receive the Eucharist? I’ve talked to my parish priest and his response was two-fold:   They need to be in union with the Catholic Church, and they must believe that the Eucharist is the body of Christ, not just a symbol of Christ’s …

Summer has arrived and our hearts are ready to play, relax, and enjoy some time off. As the crowning jewel of all this summer fun is vacation time, it will either be a wonderful memory or a little trip to hell (or at least purgatory). I have experienced both. Last …