“The ability to give thanks is the mark of the truly religious person.” – M. Francis Mannion
Read moreCategory: Viewpoint
Viewpoint: Lay and Ordained Ministries
The priest is more than a managerial functionary. He is called to the vocation of “ordering” the sacramental life of the parish
Read moreViewpoint: A Spirituality of Ruins
Ruins remind us that every aspect of life does not have a happy ending. All we can do is recognize our ruins, accept them, lament over them—and then commend them to God in the firm faith that only he has the power to rebuild in the day of eternity.
Read moreViewpoint: Rediscovering Purgatory
Attending Mass on All Souls’ Day and remembering our own deceased relatives and friends are practices that need to be recovered and pastorally promoted.
Read moreViewpoint: Multicultural Ministry
“If mainstream Catholicism in the U.S. today were less a reflection of liberal-individualistic culture, it would be better positioned to minister to Catholic ethnic communities.”
Read moreViewpoint: Papal Styles
Most of all, Pope Francis wants a Church that is close to the people, is compassionate to sinners, and is merciful to those who live in imperfect situations.
Read moreViewpoint: The Good Old Days in the Church were not always so great
Recently I have been reading up on cathedral and monastic life in the Middle Ages. Things, it turns out, were not always as great as we might expect in that glorious age of faith.
Read more