I remember seeing the star every year as I grew up, after we left our family Christmas party at Grandpa’s house. It was on the dome of the St. Charles Center, a senior living community for Missionaries of the Precious Blood and local lay people. Their simple tradition of placing …

A lot was happening in 1964: the Beatles debuted on The Ed Sullivan Show, Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act and Ford unveiled the Mustang. For Catholics, Vatican II was in its third session and Pope Paul VI traveled to Jerusalem to meet with Patriarch Athenagoras of the …

“Every Christian is called to be a missionary and witness to Christ.” This prompting by Pope Francis might seem like a tall order in western Ohio, but for Sarah Niekamp, a lifelong member of St. Bernard Church in the St. Henry Family of Parishes, the calling to become a missionary …

God’s Garden, on the grounds of St. Paul Church in the St. Gaspar Family of Parishes, is about community. First and foremost, it grows fresh vegetables for local food pantries to distribute to those in need. But it is also about bringing volunteers together from local parishes, connecting them with …

Brent and Beth Schulze knew they wanted to raise their family on a farm, discussing their dream even when they were just dating. Brent grew up on a farm and knew the benefits of a life of hard work and simplicity. And Beth remembers, “My parents had an old barn …

Late summer means it is time to go back to school. While some students are packing up their backpacks, grabbing their brown paper lunch bags and heading out the door to catch the bus, others have an easier commute. Some young people instead head to the kitchen table to begin …

by Matt Hess, photo by Danny Schneible Luke recounts to his readers that after Jesus’ death, two of His disciples embark on a journey. Jesus draws near to these friends and walks in their midst, though they do not initially recognize Him. They only became aware of His presence among …

Many members of the St. Henry Family of Parishes thought it was a monumental goal: Adoration at St. Wendelin Church five days a week, including through the night. The goal sprang from a difficulty—the reduction of scheduled Masses in the Family of Parishes made St. Wendelin one of two churches …

Near the scenic Rhine River in Germany is a little shrine devoted to the Blessed Mother where Father Joseph Kentenich founded the Marian movement called Schoenstatt, meaning “beautiful place.” This apostolic movement seeks to renew the Church by connecting faith to daily life through Mary’s example. Now established across the …

Carmelite Spirituality is one of the oldest in the Catholic tradition, having roots in the Old Testament with the prophet Elijah. His witness inspired hermits to live on Mount Carmel, the tradition was carried to Europe and reformed in the 16th century, and the spirituality continues to be lived out …