Learning to Listen When God Comes First Last Sunday, during the Communion procession, something unexpected happened. The sound system failed, and the choir director was unable to announce the hymn. No song number was given. No page was named. For … Continue reading →
Learning to refuse temptation and reach for peace I came home from work the other day and my son met me with a sheet of paper he had put together from a prayer he found online. It had the prayer … Continue reading →
When One Small Word Carries True Belief Last Sunday I served as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion (EMHC) at Mass and found myself paying closer attention to something more than usual. I felt my heart slow down and became … Continue reading →
Praying with John in the waiting A few Sundays ago, I sat in the pew and felt drawn into the readings in a way I did not expect. First came Isaiah, full of promise and healing. Then James spoke about … Continue reading →
How Joseph and My Dad Taught Me the Meaning of a Name The Fourth Week of Advent always feels close and tender. The candles burn a little lower. The edges of Christmas come into view. This year, the Gospel from … Continue reading →
Finding joy on Gaudete and Laetare Sundays Last Sunday, I sat in the pew with my family. The entrance procession passed by, and I saw the priest and deacon in a color we do not see every week at Mass. … Continue reading →
How the beads reveal the One who moves the Story I pray my Rosary like I often do, in the car or in the pew at church. At first, nothing seems different. Same beads, same prayers, same rhythm. Hail Mary … Continue reading →
A Father’s Answer to his Son at Mass One Sunday not long ago, my son and I stood side by side as the entrance hymn began. The cross, servers, and priest started down the aisle. As they drew near, I … Continue reading →
Learning to Let Jesus Increase as a New Year Begins By the time I drive home from work now, the sun sets before I even leave the building. I step out into a parking lot washed in headlights instead of … Continue reading →
Learning to Believe Like St. Thomas Recently I was praying some Lectio Divina with John’s Gospel, but this time one phrase refused to move past my heart. “Thomas, called Didymus (the Twin).” I have always known that is what the … Continue reading →