They may just be ashes, but Fr. Mike points out that what they represent goes far beyond mere dust of the earth. With a simple cross on the forehead, we are recognizing that we are far from perfect, but that God loves and redeems us—not despite our brokenness, but in …

With Lent upon us, perhaps it is time to do a personal inventory and discern your involvement in parish life. The value of a new parishioner introducing him or herself to the parish and just asking the priest, “How can I help?” is priceless.

Yes, you are a burden. We are all burdens, including Fr. Mike, but we are burdens worth carrying. Many of us choose to deal with our problems on our own because we don’t want to bring our mess into other people’s lives. To learn more, watch Fr. Mike’s video:

In this video, Fr. Mike encourages us to keep going through the motions, if that’s all it feels like we’re doing at Mass, because it’s in times of desolation that our faith grows the most.

This talk is difficult for Fr. Mike to give, but sadly, it is also necessary. Since the Pennsylvania Report was released, practically every headline with the word “Catholic” in it has been about the report, which covers seventy years and gives accounts of three hundred priests who allegedly abused over …