Special Articles posted by Fr Tom
The Church has always recognized the existence of evil. She proclaims the Savior, Jesus Christ, who leads all men and women to freedom over evil, in all of its manifestations. The Church also has often taken secular holidays and, in a sense, “baptized them”, as a means of infusing the values of the Gospel into … [Read more…]
Just as Baptism gives new life, the Eucharist nourishes life, and Reconciliation restores life when it is broken, Confirmation strengthens that life by the gifts of the Holy Spirit. It is about strengthening what God has given, and continues to give, to his sons and daughters. The Sacrament of Confirmation is not a “coming of age” celebration. The Sacrament of Confirmation is not … [Read more…]
I was recently asked by a parent for a “dress code” for Altar Servers to help them dress appropriately. But before I mention a few practical norms, I think it best to understand what we Catholics do at our weekend Mass, and in fact at every Mass. During the week we try to bring Jesus … [Read more…]
Do you ever feel like respect is disappearing from kids’ vocabulary these days? If so, read on. As I passed by a kindergarten classroom a few weeks ago, I overheard a frustrated volunteer negotiating with a 5-year-old boy to join the rest of the class for a book story. As the boy ran in circles … [Read more…]
Most Americans, including me, begin their day with a nice, hot cup of coffee. The beverage is so widely used that it is estimated that 2.25 billion cups of coffee are consumed daily, worldwide. This suggests that a third of the world’s population relies on its tasty kick to help them through the day. What has … [Read more…]
COMMENTARY: Healing the crippling wounds abused people suffer. By Sue Ellen Browder, August 16, 2019 I met my beloved husband, Walter, in 1966 at the University of Missouri, where he was studying to be a chemical engineer and I was enrolled in the School of Journalism, hoping to earn a living as a magazine writer. … [Read more…]
Although it is not mentioned in scripture, the Assumption of Mary has been a solidly held belief of our faith since apostolic times. It has been celebrated liturgically since the 6th century AD. The Assumption of Mary was declared a dogma (a divinely revealed truth) of the Catholic Church by Pope Pius XII in 1950 … [Read more…]
Martin Pistorius hates Barney. And it’s no wonder why. For 12 years, while he was in a coma that doctors described as a “vegetative state,” nurses, thinking that he couldn’t see or hear anything, played endless re-runs of Barney as he sat, strapped into his wheel chair. But Martin wasn’t the “vegetable” that doctors said … [Read more…]
A mountaintop encounter with Jesus and his apostles holds valuable lessons for all followers of Christ. All three synoptic gospels tell the story of the transfiguration of Jesus. The transfiguration is a highly symbolic story. Jesus took his inner circle of apostles -Peter, James, and John – up a mountain, which in the Bible is a … [Read more…]
Respecting our differences, even if we don’t always see eye-to-eye. Excerpts taken from an article by Beth Baumann, July 2019 Former “Dirty Jobs” host, Mike Rowe has a keen understanding of American history and he recently took to Facebook to answer one of his followers’ questions: why on earth would Nike listen to washed up … [Read more…]