Special Articles posted by Fr Tom
A statement widely attributed to the great British Catholic writer G. K. Chesterton describes the modern period as perfectly as any single idea can: “When people stop believing in God, they don’t believe in nothing; they believe in anything.” One of these substitute gods has been nature. Indeed, of all the false gods, nature is … [Read more…]
Holy Week is not holy because of the palms Catholics wave on Palm Sunday. Nor is it holy because of the songs we sing on Holy Thursday, the quiet we keep on Good Friday, or the cleaning, cooking and ironing we do on Holy Saturday, as we prepare for guests on Easter Sunday. The palms, … [Read more…]
No Matter When You Look at Your Clock, Some Priest is Offering Mass By Celeste Behe St. Pio of Pietrelcina said: “It would be easier for the world to survive without the sun than to do so without the Holy Mass.” “It’s 5 o’clock somewhere,” is a popular saying on party flags and bar … [Read more…]
By Mary C. Tillotson It’s hard to be away from someone you love so much, and who loves you even more. “Sometimes I think that those who have never been deprived of an opportunity to say or hear Mass do not really appreciate what a treasure the Mass is,” wrote Father Walter Ciszek in his book; He … [Read more…]
During these stressful times when public Masses are not allowed, do you feel disconnected from our Lord? An Act of Spiritual Communion can help! No matter what your day is like, Jesus can help make it better, or at least more bearable, if you ask Him for His help and guidance in prayers such as … [Read more…]
Why Don’t Roman Catholics Sing the Gloria or Alleluia During Lent? Throughout the liturgical year, the Catholic Church makes certain changes to the Mass to reflect the different liturgical seasons. Besides the change in the color of the priest’s vestments, we do not say or sing the Gloria during Lent and Advent and do not say or … [Read more…]
Faith strengthens families in a hostile world. Without the witness of families, the Faith weakens. By Anna Abbot In December 2019, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was interviewed by his girlfriend Danica Patrick for her podcast “Pretty Intense.” In the interview, Rodgers discussed his workout, daily crosswords, his UFO sighting, and his alienation from … [Read more…]
It is a traditional doctrine of Christian spirituality that a constituent part of repentance, of turning away from sin and back to God, includes some form of penance, without which the Christian is unlikely to remain on the narrow path and be saved (Jer. 18:11, 25:5; Ez. 18:30, 33:11-15; Joel 2:12; Mt. 3:2; Mt. 4:17; … [Read more…]
Psalm 51 instills reflects the spirit of this season which is that of change and renewal: A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me. Cast me not out from your presence, and your holy spirit take not from me. Give me back the joy of your salvation, and … [Read more…]
By Jennifer Roback Morse, Ph.D I was outraged by the Super Bowl halftime show. I bet you were, too. I challenge you to do something with your outrage. Otherwise, it is a pointless waste of time. The Super Bowl Halftime Show was not only pornographic — it was an internationally televised sexual grooming session. Do not … [Read more…]