Wednesday, December 26, 2012

New Year's Resolutions for Catholics










With the glow of Christmas still burning brightly, it's a good time to contemplate the New Year in light of the gift of the Christ child.  What does his coming mean to you and how can you take that with you into 2013?  Diet, exercise, and quitting smoking are typical New Year’s resolutions. Improved health is great, but for Christians with our sights on heaven, we can do better. Let’s not forget the spiritual realm where improvements last longer than a lifetime.

Monday, December 24, 2012

Christmas Lessons


Lessons from Santa
A few cookies on a plate are always appreciated.
* A bowl full of jelly is happy food.
* Don’t pout.
* There’s always someone watching.

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Six New Monsignors!


      The Diocese of Bismarck, ND leaped from only one monsignor to seven this week, when six priests were given the title of monsignor, joining Msgr. Gerald Wash. Pope Benedict XV bestowed the honor at the request of Bishop David D. Kagan, D.D., P.A., and J.C.L. on five pastors and the president of University of Mary.

Friday, December 14, 2012

Three Priests Talk About Spiritual Direction


     Spiritual Direction is often misunderstood, misused, or overlooked. To help unmask the intrigue and bring it out of obscurity, I asked three priests--Fr. Mitch Pacwa S.J., Fr. John McCloskey III STD, and Fr. Wayne Sattler --to share their thoughts on spiritual direction. I will introduce each separately, and then offer their reflections.

Saturday, December 8, 2012

Total Consecration at St. Mary's High School


150 parents and students consecrated themselves to the Blessed Mother on the feast of the Immaculate Conception.
      While Fr. Joshua Waltz prepared his homily for the All Saint’s Day Mass at St. Mary’s High School in Bismarck, ND, he recalled a phone call from his brother Fr. Justin. “Don’t forget, if you plan to make the Total Consecration to Mary with me on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, (December 8) the preparation starts on November 5.”

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Spot the Monk by Brother John Raymond



     If a picture is worth a thousand words, what do you suppose a video image is worth? What about a video image of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament?

     I oversee our religious community’s web site. I had the idea to provide a live image of our Eucharistic Adoration chapel which is uploaded every minute 24 hours a day, 7 days a week so the web cam can bring Jesus closer to people through their computers. I quickly learned that this image was indeed worth much more than a thousand words.