Once I’ve heard “We wish you a merry Christmas” and “Jingle Bells” a few too many times each year, I turn to a an old secular hit to get a break. As we’ve begun the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, I’ve been thinking about this “alternative Christmas carol” in a new …

The recording was soothing and stark at the same time but, almost 50 years ago, a particular recording of the Christmas classic “Silent Night/7 O’clock News,” captured the imaginations of many American teenagers. The recording was on the then-popular artists’ “Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme,” album. Simon and Garfunkel was …

As a young child, my older sister and I would battle for the right to blow out the Advent candles after our pre-dinner prayers. Mom and dad would handle the lighting, but the kids got to blow it out. If It wasn’t our turn, we’d fight until mom and dad …

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 …