“God’s sign is simplicity. God’s sign is the baby. God’s sign is that He makes Himself small for us. This is how He reigns. He does not come with power and outward splendor. He comes as a baby – defenseless and in need of our help. He does not want to overwhelm us with His . . . Read more
Warriors must know when, and how, to rest. If they don’t know how to rest, then one way or another they won’t be warriors much longer. I am spending the Christmas break at home with family and friends in Southern Louisiana, and it has been a blessed time. A welcome meeting with my bishop, coffee . . . Read more
Tomorrow we will celebrate the Nativity of the Lord, a truly holy day that is certainly filled with much sentiment for children and adults of all ages, but whose meaning comes from a Child, a newborn Baby. With eagerness we wait for Christmas and ready ourselves with joyful anticipation, counting the hours and even the . . . Read more
Saint Mother Teresa’s proclivity for evoking quotes of spiritual genius offers timeless inspiration. Such the humble icon was Mother Teresa that, in all the good she said and all the good she did, it was her faithful and trusting disposition that led her to accomplish great things for His glory: to serve the impoverished, the . . . Read more
The question is this: How am I doing this Advent? Am I using this season of preparation to clear out the materialist muck, the stress and distractions of my life? And if the honest answer is no, then the question becomes: What can I do now to get ready for Christmas? God has a marvelous . . . Read more
In his Urbi et Orbi Christmas Message, Pope Francis spoke about the song of the angels, which unites heaven and earth and how we are called to share in their triumphant chorus: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those whom he favors. “I ask everyone to share in this song: . . . Read more
Tradition teaches that Saint Francis of Assisi set up the first Nativity scene in order to inspire and encourage a greater appreciation of the wonders of the first Christmas. The year was 1223, and Francis created the scene in a cave outside Greccio, Italy featuring a wax figure of the infant Jesus and a man . . . Read more
This Sunday, Gaudete Sunday, we light the third candle of the Advent wreath. The rose-colored candle and the priests’ rose vestments mark a change in the tenor of this penitential season. For those who have been using Advent as a time to prepare heart and home for the celebration of Christ’s birth, it is a . . . Read more
There has been lively debate in the media over whether it is a good idea for stores to start their Black Friday sales on Thursday evening — if the consumerism mentality tarnishes the Thanksgiving holiday and Christmas Season. The question as to whether Black Friday tarnishes Thanksgiving and Christmas has become moot since it seems . . . Read more
In a few short days, we will celebrate the beginning of the New Year. For many this brings a sense of renewal, joy and anticipation. For others the New Year seems to only solidify the current problems and exasperate the struggles. For still others, it’s just another passing moment, another day and another year. As . . . Read more
