Herman Melville, known to most readers as the author of Moby Dick, lived much of his writing life in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. more

Readings: Acts 2:42-47 1 Peter 1:3-9 John 20:19-31 During the Easter season, the church's liturgy celebrates the life-giving effect of Jesus’ resurrection on the Christian community. … more

Atonement for sin is a notion that pre-dates Christianity and probably even pre-dates Judaism. more

We stand in front of our future which closes and opens at the same time . . . Return to each place where a man has died; Return to the place where he was born. The past is the time of … more

The mid-century liturgical commission that revised the ceremonies for Holy Week was being subtly tongue-in-cheek or deliberately ironic when the members determined that Christ’s entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday should be described as a “triumph.” more

The resurrection of Lazarus by Jesus Christ was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Previously, the religious leaders were profoundly disturbed that Jesus Christ had exalted himself above the Sabbath. more

It’s very fitting that Holy Week occurs in the springtime since both speak to us of new life. While we welcome the new life that nature will soon bring, at the same time we celebrate the new life that comes to us through the passion, death and resurrection of the Lord. more

The first recorded words, so to speak, from the mouth of God the Father were “Let there be light.” These words, while certainly familiar, are also a bit provocative. more

One of the most authentic shrines in the Holy Land is the Samaritan well near Sechem where Jesus encountered the many-times-wedded woman who had come to draw water. more

You’ve probably heard the famous story about the priest who was hearing the first confessions of some second graders. “Bless me father, for I have sinned,” began the earnest young man. “I disobeyed my parents, I fought with my brothers and sisters, and I committed adultery.” more

No one can blame Sts. Peter, James and John for wanting to prolong the Transfiguration experience. In his exhilaration, St. Peter blurts out, “Lord, how good it is that we are here. more

In 1973 American Psychiatrist Karl Menninger wrote a little book called “Whatever Happened to Sin?” The book caught the imagination of the American public and created a wave of dialogues and debates, stories and sermons about the same topic. more

The National Catholic (the word is used loosely) Reporter recently praised the church in the Netherlands for its innovative response to the vocation crisis. more

Each beatitude proclaimed in this Sunday’s liturgy celebrates a deficiency. That’s right. Jesus, through the pen of St. Matthew, honors our brothers and sisters in faith who lack some portion of life and whom others might dismiss. more

Years ago, the last week of January was celebrated throughout the Catholic world as the Church Unity Octave. Beginning on the former feast of St. Peter’s Chair at Rome and concluding on the current feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, observers of the octave prayed for the unity of various Christian communities with the Church of Rome. more

Extension Magazine is the publication of the Catholic Extension Society, an organization that "exists to sustain and extend the Catholic Faith in poor and remote mission areas of the United States." In that context, then, I wasn't surprised to find recently an article about the Church in Alaska. The story was an eye-opener, though, and reminded me of how easy it is, how convenient it is to practice our Catholic Faith here in Rhode Island. more

Voice of the Faithful on-line newsletter, no doubt hoping to justify its own critical assessment of U.S. Catholicism, recommends its constituents read a recent article from Commonweal magazine regarding the “high stress, poor health, and low morale” of the diocesan clergy, specifically in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. more

A couple of weeks before Christmas, the Providence Journal featured an article on its religion page that highlighted a few Protestant communities that reject the celebration of Christmas. more

Compared to the busyness and excitement of December, January is a rather quiet month. The holidays are behind us and we’ve settled in to survive the onslaught of winter, whether it turns out to be a lion or a lamb. more

An advertisement featured recently on local radio begs support for a Roman Catholic missionary congregation that has earned justifiable renown over the last century. This religious congregation of priests and sisters had brought the Gospel message, amid much suffering and persecution, to what today is often called the Third World. They have a noble record. more