Instinct takes over where my weakness leaves off
In my last column I made mention in a roundabout way that there are times, too many I fear, when I find it difficult to pray. The reasons are varied, but one ugly reason is that I’m not strong enough to have the faith I should at times. …
After the Vatican Summit on the protection of minors in the Church
After Pope Francis announced last September 12 that he was convening a meeting in Rome of the presidents of the bishops conferences across the world, together with leaders of Eastern …
Preferential option for the poor
Years ago when I was working in the parish preparing high school youth for the Sacrament of Confirmation, I was confronted by a parent who objected to the requirement …
‘Exceptions’ and the undermining of the moral law
Whenever we make small exceptions to universal moral rules, we shouldn’t be surprised that the rules themselves can be quickly undermined. Establishing an “exception” in one …
Living with integrity
Recently, two young men identifying as women stood atop Connecticut’s high school podiums after their track victories, putting their competitors in an awkward situation. To …
Abortion at the extremes
One of the crazier features of politics these days is that opponents of our quixotic president seem to have themselves become unhinged: When he cuts federal funds to Planned …
What, it’s right in front of me!
Our lives are filled with so many things, we may be employed or students, may be married or single, be caring for children or elderly parents. Whatever it is that fills …
All that truly matters
I threw on my Savers dark dust coat, stepped out into the rain, and headed for my Paddy Wagon. I must have looked like Wyatt Earp or Doc Holliday on the way to the O.K. Corral …
Do you wish to change the world?
My freshmen had completed their career assignments. I picked up the essay of a young man who chose to be a boxer. The first third of the essay was the “do my best in high school so as to get into college.” …
If you loved Him more
In preparing for a homily last month I came across this story that I shared with the parish and thought might be a valuable message worth repeating here. It is a story of a young man who appeared to be a budding artist. …
Moving forward in faith, hope and love
In my prayer over the readings for this weekend, I reflected on how the situation in the first reading from the prophet Jeremiah speaks to the circumstances we find ourselves in as a Church, in particular the Diocese of Fall River. …
The gift of prayer
I love when people ask me to pray for them or for an intention of theirs. To be able to pray for someone, allows us into their lives in a very unique way. It allows us into a part of their lives that are vulnerable and sometimes fragile. …
(Roman?) Catholic — Part Two
In the first installment of this series I noted that I am a priest of the Roman Rite. However, I did not tell you what that means. I did not tell you what a Rite of the Catholic Church is, and there are many of them. …
