Monthly Archives: September 2010

Random Thoughts

One of the real joys of the diaconate for me is preaching at Mass and other liturgies. Seems that it is something I doing a lot. The big ones are of course the Sunday Eucharist where I preach one weekend … Continue reading

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Feast of the Archangels

Today is the feast of the archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. St. Gregory the Great notes that angels do not have names unless and until they are given a mission from God to announce a message. There are untold millions … Continue reading

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32nd Anniversary of the Death of Papa Luciani

Thirty-two years ago today, Papa Luciani died 33 days after assuming the papacy. I was in Wiesbaden, Germany that day, and one of the lay ministers of the Army base there called me with the news. I was stunned as … Continue reading

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Odometer Reading

Over 170,000 visitors have logged on to this weblog since its inception several years ago. Catholic Faith and Reflections is currently averaging about 15,000 visits a month. I am pleased so many find something of interest here. Please feel free … Continue reading

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Blessed Chiara Badano

The Holy Father, in today’s Angelus address to the pilgrims in Rome, mentioned Blessed Chiara Badano.  Just yesterday she was proclaimed one of the Blessed.  Chiara Badano was born in 1971 and died at age 19 years and was sick … Continue reading

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Quote for the Day

“To practice the virtues of meekness and humility I need only look at Jesus crucified and I learn how I must act in various circumstances.” — St. Conrad of Parzham, OFM Cap.

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Reciprocal Responsibilities of Society and Marriage

So much clamor nowadays is heard from various sectors about having the “right” to marry.   It is true that men and women have a natural right to marry as long as there are no impediments to it. Such impediments … Continue reading

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Another Good Weblog

At the lower right of this webpage, under Blogroll, you will find an additional blog listed. It is entitled On Pilgrimage, authored by Dr. Lori Pieper who has done wonderful research on Pope John Paul I, translating much of his … Continue reading

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Quote for the Day

“The family is the first essential cell of human society.” — Blessed Pope John XXIII

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Marriage – One Man and One Woman

The  strenuous  and multiple efforts by many of us to protect the family has taken a new turn: protecting the definition of marriage as a permanent union of one man with one woman. The Minnesota Catholic bishops are stepping forward in this … Continue reading

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Deacons and Marriage

“Ultimately, the sacramental character of the deacon is based in the mystery of  Christ’s relationship to the church….. mystery signifies God’s ultimate plan or way of being….” — Fr. Bill Donovan, Ph.D., Understanding Diaconal Spirituality This quote left me thinking … Continue reading

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Quote for the Day

“Love means loving the unloveable – or it is no virtue at all.” — G.K. Chesterton, 1905

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Principle of Subsidiarity

A couple of weeks ago, I posted on the common good. The common good is a basic principle in Catholic social teaching. Today, I want to mention another essential principle in understanding the Church’s social doctrine, the principle of subsidiarity. … Continue reading

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“Have a care also for your deacons…”

In the midst of his homily today in Scotland, Pope Benedict included the following at he addressed the bishops of that country: “Have a care also for your deacons, whose ministry of service is associated in a particular way with … Continue reading

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Congrats Archbishop Sartain!!

I just learned that Bishop J. Peter Sartain, currently bishop of Joliet in Illinois, has been appointed archbishop of Seattle, Washington.  Congratulations, Archbishop Peter! The new archbishop and I were students together at the Gregorian University and at the North … Continue reading

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