Cynicism, skepticism and even pessimism are negative mindsets that are a very easy refuge for modern day Catholics whose basic beliefs are often mocked by worldly powers and whose fundamental faith … more

Readings : Acts 6:1-7 1 Peter 2:4-9 John 14:1-12 more

The second reading this coming Sunday is a portion of the brief, personal letter that St. Paul wrote to a Corinthian gentleman named Philemon regarding the man’s runaway slave named Onesimus. more

The American public has just enough Puritanism left within its ranks to bring a blush to the face when sex is mentioned in polite society. more

Catherine of Aragon, Ferdinand and Isabella’s ill-fated daughter and Henry VIII’s ill-used wife, was actually quite a competent queen for England. During Henry’s several ventures overseas, Catherine was his regent, one time even defeating the Scots at Flodden Field while her husband had lesser luck in his French expeditions. more

A congratulations card or a recovery card or a condolence card arrives in the mail from a Catholic friend and the greeting begins, “The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass will be offered for…” Yes, the … more

English novelist W. Somerset Maugham observed that there is nothing particularly blessed about poverty. He wrote, “Poverty is the surest route to bitterness and resentment.” more

Warned by the death of St. John the Baptist, and then alerted by the antagonism that his own preaching and healing provoked, Jesus knew that tough times were ahead for himself and for his hapless disciples. more

If I were to mix chemical A with chemical B in my cellar in Woonsocket, there would be a definite reaction. The chemicals might lie there inert with no result, the chemicals might explode with dangerous consequences, or the chemicals might bubble over and eat away the work shelf supporting my experiment. more

For centuries, usually through the quiet response of an altar server or through the sung response of a choir, the worshippers at a Catholic Mass affirmed the Eucharistic work of the celebrant through … more