"God so loved the world that he gave his only Son"

This Sunday, June 18, 2015, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Blessed Trinity. The Triune nature of God is the principal mystery of the Catholic faith. Our Discussion Questions will guide your Sunday Bible Study sessions with family, friends and church groups.

The Very Mystery of God


What we know about God is not made up, not a fable invented by our ancestors. What we know about God is revealed by God himself. The Triune nature of God is the principal mystery of the Catholic faith. Fr. Thomas Rosica, CSB says it is the first and last horizon of the universe and of history: the Love of God, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. God is not solitude, but perfect communion. All three in a great dynamic of love, are so close that they are One God, explains Fr. John Foley, S. J..

Of course, we can only ever know God partially because to know him fully would be beyond our capacity as human beings in this life. The reality of God is too rich to ever be captured, even half adequately, in imagination, thought, and word. Fr. Ron Rolheiser says the idea of God needs to stretch, not shrink, the human imagination. But in order for us to get to know God we need to to root out sin and to cultivate the qualities that bring us closer to him. Fr. Alex McAllister SDS tells us that these qualities are the virtues of faith, hope, charity and all the rest.

If Christianity were simply a religion of keeping the law, the inner life of the lawgiver would not matter. But if Christianity is about personal relationship with God, Dr. Marcellino d'Ambrosio explains, then who God really is matters totally. Further, Fr. Joseph Pellegrino tells us that God possesses us, and we possess Him, not for ourselves, but to continue His Presence in the world. Thus every Sunday's liturgy helps unfold the mystery of divine life. In each gospel Jesus makes the Father's truth and love present in the world through the power of the Holy Spirit. We open each Liturgy invoking the Trinity, Fr. James Gilhooley highlights for us, and we also close it by calling upon those same Persons.

John 3:16

“For God so loved the world.” - us. The truth of that statement is so simple and yet it boggles the mind. Its so easy to say and so hard to wrap our minds and hearts around. And yet, explains Fr. Orlando, Sapuay, MS. the truth remains. God loves us. No matter what our sins or our attitude towards God. Whether we accept the truth of His love or not - He does love you.

And the "world" which God loves so much as to give it his only Son? We are that world -- human beings tragically alienated from God, alienated from each other, alienated from our own deepest personal identity as children of God. Fr. Campion P. Gavaler, O.S.B. says this is the world described in the first chapters of Genesis, in every evening's TV news, in our own experience of life. And yet, points out college student Emily Clark, that thing that an earthly father would never be willing to do—sacrifice his child—is just the thing God chose to do . . . for us.

The Communion of Saints

Every Sunday's Eucharist is the prayer of the church in living communion with the Risen Lord praising the Father through the power of the Spirit. Father Cusick points out to us that God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit live eternally, love eternally and pour out divine love and life in the world through the Body of Christ, the Church.

We pray to the Father through Jesus his Son in the unity of the Holy Spirit. And this unity of the Holy Spirit, according to Fr. Phil Bloom,  is the Communion of Saints. Our origin is family, the Trinity, and our goal is family, the Communion of Saints for ever united to the Persons of the Trinity.

Prayer, Worship & the Sacraments

Joe Heschmeyer urges us all to prepare ourselves to become tabernacles for the Lord. When we receive Communion, our very bodies and souls become the receptacles for the Second Person of the Trinity. And that's why we need the Sacrament of Confession. Because otherwise, when we receive the Eucharist, we're placing God in the pit of filth inside of us.

This is also the time of year when Bishops celebrate Confirmation. It is certainly a wonderful moment for all you recipients of the sacrament, as you receive the same Holy Spirit bestowed upon the Church at Pentecost, which we celebrated last Sunday. But now that you've been confirmed. Now what? Archbishop Richard W. Smith from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada has the answers for you.

Family Matters

Then Archbishop now Cardinal Timothy Dolan of the Archdiocese of New York lamented the media and its rush to push the states to re-invent the very definition of an undeniable truth – one man, one woman, united in lifelong love and fidelity, hoping for children – that has served as the very cornerstone of civilization and culture from the start. Our beliefs, he argued should not be viewed as discrimination against homosexual people. This is not about denying rights. It is about upholding a truth about the human condition.

This media push to erode our long-set values has to be met with a re-education process. And that is where the new evangelization comes in. Cardinal Odilo Scherer, archbishop of São Paulo, Brazil  says it needs to be as ordinary as daily life -- because it has to happen in our homes. "The peoples to evangelize are in our own house," he asserted. "The Gospel is not a good that constitutes our privilege [as Catholics], but a good for the world."

And Jennifer Fulwiler discusses how the digital revolution is impacting everything from prayer to marriages to the Church as a whole. But one of the areas that she finds most interesting is how it has impacted the fight for the dignity of human life. She says the internet will make the world more Pro-Life. And I agree with her.

Celebrating All Fathers

This Sunday is Fathers Day. Did you know that according to surveys, if a father made a decision to become a Christian, the rest of the family followed his example 93 percent of the time? No one wants to minimize the importance of faithful mothers, Terry Mattingly explains. But it's clear that fathers play a unique and special role in helping their children develop a living faith — especially their sons. There's no way to deny that.

And to inspire all you fathers out there, here's a story of a father's unelievable love for his disabled son. We all try to be good fathers, but compared to Dick Hoyt, we all suck. Eighty-five times he's pushed his disabled son, Rick, 26.2 miles in Marathons. Eight times he's not only pushed him 26.2 miles in a wheelchair but also towed him 2.4 miles in a dinghy while swimming and pedaled him 112 miles in a seat on the handlebars--all in the same day. "I Can Only Imagine" is the story and the video will move you.

Conan, Chaste Dating & Graduations

And as we close, let's talk about our graduates and the new world that awaits them after school. Conan O’ Brien took center stage three years ago this week when he gave the commencement address at Dartmouth college. We have the video for you. It is longer than usual, but stick with it for the sheer entertainment value. At about the 18 minute mark, O’Brien gets serious and personal, and the speech goes from enjoyable to sublime. He offers some serious life nuggets to graduates everywhere.

And for those high school graduate who are off to college, allow us to share with you some Dating Rules as oyu navigate the tricky roads of college life. Here's Ten Ways to Chaste Dating for the over-21 Crowd and for those who live Outside the Home.

Another eventful week in our Catholic World. A Happy and blessed Fathers Day to all dads!

Keep the Faith. Peace.

Wally Arida
Publisher & Editor in chief

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“Receive the Holy Spirit."

This Sunday, June 8, 2014, we celebrate Pentecost, the 50th day that signals the start of the universal mission of the Church -- a mission that overcomes human obstacles and has the Spirit as its driving force. Our Discussion Questions will guide your Sunday Bible Study sessions with family, friends and church groups.

"Receive the Holy Spirit."

Pentecost is not just another Sunday. Fr. John Foley, S. J. explains that it is a feast equal to Christmas and Easter themselves. The Feast of Pentecost, originally the Jewish Feast of weeks commemorating the gift of the Law to Moses on Mt. Sinai 50 days after the Exodus, was the day when the Holy Spirit was poured out in the Upper Room upon the apostles and other disciples in the form of tongues of fire and a strong wind, fifty days after Easter Sunday, the day marking the resurrection of the Lord Jesus.

In the Gospel we are told that the apostles, imprisoned and bound by fear of the Jews after Jesus' death, have locked themselves into the upper room. Then Jesus came and stood before them. He breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit." And immediately, the apostle's fears vanished. But what changed the disciples from fearful hiding behind locked doors to fearless witnesses in the world? Fr. James Gilhooley says the Holy Spirit is the master of surprises who makes the impossible possible. He is the one who reminds us that it does not require great people to do great things - just unselfish ones.

So who exactly is the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit is the animating principle of the Christian life, the Soul of the Christian soul, explains Dr. Anthony Lilles. Despite this knowledge, many people today still want to know where the Church “came up with” the Holy Spirit. Mark Shea attempts to answer the question for them.

Fr. Phil Bloom explains that the Holy Spirit - Jesus' first gift - is His greatest gift to us. And this is because this gift contains God Himself, the Third Person of the Holy Trinity. But the Holy Spirit is not just a person inside the Trinity, hopelessly abstract and beyond our conception, Fr. Ron Rolheiser reminds us. He points out that Scripture tells us that the Holy Spirit is also very concrete, conceivable, and tangible inside of charity, joy, peace, patience, goodness, longsuffering, fidelity, gentleness, and chastity.

Pentecost Marks the Birth of the Church

Pentecost is considered to be the birth of the Church. The Holy Spirit was poured out into the apostles on Pentecost. The First Reading from tells the story of how - upon receiving the Holy Spirit - the apostles began to speak in different tongues and proclaimed the Good News of Jesus death and resurrection to people of all nationalities in Jerusalem.

Today's Church also speaks in the tongues of all men and women of every race, culture, and nationality. She speaks with a common language because she utters God's only and unitary Word. Fr. Charles Irvin explains that of all the diversities in humanity, the Church makes one inter-dependent unity. All of us together are formed by the Holy Spirit in the one Body of Christ. Fr. Joseph Pellegrino advises us that in our own parishes today, we have to get away from the thought that someone or some group is rather an exception than a norm in the Church. As Catholics we don't just put up with each other's differences, we value each other's differences as a unique manifestation of the Holy Spirit without which our faith body would be incomplete.

Pentecost invites us once again to walk with the Church, breathe with the Church, hope with the Church, feel with the Church. Fr. Orlando Sapuay, M.S. says Easter therefore is not just coming to a wonderful, inspiring worship service. It is about being sent back into the hostile world, empowered by the Holy Spirit, to bear witness to the identity of God as revealed in Jesus. Just as Jesus was sent by the Father, so also he sends the community.

Therefore, Fr. Alex McAllister SDS points out, for Christians everyday is a Pentecost Day.

"Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them"

In the Gospel Jesus says, "Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” The power of the Spirit not only authorizes, but also empowers the apostles to forgive and to retain sins. Father Cusick explains further that the Apostles Creed links "the forgiveness of sins" with its profession of faith in the Holy Spirit, for the risen Christ entrusted to the apostles the power to forgive sins when he gave them the Holy Spirit. With this act, Fr. Thomas Rosica, CSB adds, Jesus formally sends out to the world His apostles, just as He had been sent to the world by the Father.

But many today ask aloud  why go to a priest to confess our sins? Could God also forgive outside of the rituals of the Catholic Church? Of course. Fr. Robert Barron explains that God is held bound by nothing. But the stubbornly incarnational God, Catholics believe, has desired to convey his forgiveness through the body of the church. As the priest administers the sacraments, the priest is operating, not in his own person, but in persona Christi (in the person of Christ). His voice, his gesture, and his embodied presence are a sacramental representation, a bodying forth, of Christ’s embodied presence.

And to this discussion we add this wonderful resource for all: 20 Tips For Making A Good Confession.

Gifts and Charisms of the Holy Spirit

If you ask Catholics and Pentecostals about the number of gifts of the Holy Spirit, and what those gifts are, you'll likely get two different answers. Pentecostals, and some other Protestants, believe that there are nine spiritual gifts. In contrast, Catholics believe that there are seven spiritual gifts and we receive them all in the Sacrament of Confirmation.

These are powerful gifts, freely given to all. So what if you, just like Dr. Marcellino D'Ambrosio, did not quite “get it” when you were confirmed? I’ve got good news for you. You actually did get the Spirit and his gifts. Thus, Deacon Greg Kandra explains, we need to know that what we are undertaking in the Sacrament of Confirmation, is not just a thing of joy, but something more vast and more intimidating than anything we've ever encountered. To be in church, to receive the sacraments, is to stand before the presence of God. The good deacon tells us that we need to be awestruck. While Pope Benedict said the Holy Spirit will make us "fearless witnesses of Christ."

Pentecost Novena, Prayer, & Being Catholic

The Pentecost novena in honor of the Holy Spirit is the oldest of all novenas. It is still the only novena officially prescribed by the Church. This novena is supposed to begin last bweek on the day after the Solemnity of the Ascension. To those who did not participate in the novena, it's never too late to start it today.

And are you familiar with Theology on Tap? It started with an idea in 1981 that parishes should do something to make young adult Catholics feel more welcome and more connected to their faith. Now, over 30 years later, the program has blossomed, reaching into parishes and dioceses across the United States and some countries overseas. Plus Fr. Anthony Lusvardi, SJ notes that there are still plenty of things to love about being Catholic. Here's his not very scientific list of the small pleasures of our ever-new, ever-ancient faith. Its his Top 10 Small Pleasures of being Catholic.

Judith Costello shares a blog post she composed after sitting in the bleachers watching her son’s basketball practice. During the game, a man started ranting about how Catholic don't care about the poor. She penned a response to the man's assertion that all the poverty in the world would end if the Church would only sell all their artwork and statues and gold and give it to help the poor.

Graduation 2014, Spelling Bee & More

High schools and colleges all over the US are celebrating graduations this week. Rev. James V. Schall, S.J. asks what college graduates actually learn before they graduate? Depending on the student and the faculty, the answer ranges from “not much” to “an amazing amount.” While a commencement speaker at one high school graduation ceremony opened the eyes and minds of his young audience by talking about the true and hidden lessons we learned in high school.

Meantime, Marc Hack reflects on how today is a perfect day to make lasting memories – the kind you may someday share with your grandchildren. He offers his list of "20 Ways To Make Today Unforgettable."

And we bring you back a story from the 2011 Scripps Spelling Bee contest that concluded last week, we share with you the "Last 10 Words of the 2011 Spelling Bee." Cymotrichous, Periscii, Sorites. They're just some of the tounge-twisting, strange words the finalists actually faced. If those were a piece of cake for you, maybe you’re ready to see if you could actually make the cut. Check out the rest of the list and give it a shot.

Another eventful week in our Catholic World. Have a great and blessed new week.

Keep the Faith. Peace.

Wally Arida
Publisher & Editor in chief


BURNING QUESTION: Do you Confess before you receive Communion?
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"I am the way and the truth and the life."

In the Gospel for this Fifth Sunday in Easter, Jesus invites us to let go and trust in Him. He declares that He alone is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Our Discussion Questions will guide your Sunday Bible Study sessions with family, friends and church groups.

This Sunday's Gospel text is taken from St. John's account of the Last Supper. That the Church gives us this Last Supper discourse of Jesus for an Easter Season Eucharist is illuminative. These words are spoken to us now by the Risen Lord, truly alive and present in our midst. In this gospel we find things that Jesus taught before his death beautifully combined with John's inspired interpretation of these teachings, written in full confidence of guidance by the Spirit of Jesus (Jn 16:13).

Jesus is the Way and the Truth and the Life

The life implication of this gospel is profound because it touches upon the fear of death, that pervasive fear which can take the life out of life. Fr. Campion P. Gavaler, O.S.B. tells us that to hear the words of Jesus "Do not let your hearts be troubled" is the liberating good news that we can live and work in a fragile and violent world and not be overcome.

Fr. Phil Bloom reminds us that Jesus is inviting us to let go and trust in Him. In this Sunday's Gospel He tells his disciples that He is “the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, then you will also know my Father."

God is in Jesus and Jesus is in the world and He sends His Spirit to show us the Way, Fr. John Foley, S. J. explains. God’s love has been incarnated. It can never leave us. And so when Jesus reminds the apostles, "You have faith in God; have faith also in me," He is also telling us to trust the Holy Spirit to do in us what we cannot do ourselves. And that, Fr. Orlando Sapuay, MS points out, is what "Living in the Holy Spirit" is all about.

Living Cornerstones of the Church

The second reading from the First Letter of Peter contains some of the most reassuring verses in Scripture. Fr. Joseph Pellegrino says in this reading, we are called living cornerstones of the Church, we are the royal priesthood, the people whom God has chosen to bring light to all who live in darkness. We are the Church.

But are there not many paths to God, many truths? Dr. Marcellino D'Ambrosio reminds us how many times we've heard people say that there are different paths up the same mountain, but they all lead to the peak? It’s politically correct. Tolerant. Reasonable. But it’s wrong. Jesus would not have supported the smorgasbord Gospel, pick-and-choose Catholicism which is popular among us today. Fr. James Gilhooley notes that if you're a cafeteria Catholic, you've just started your own religion. The Church is not simply one choice among others, Father Cusick highlights for us. It is not a way to Christ, but the way to Christ.

Fr. Ron Rolheiser, however, offers a few words of wisdom for our discipleship. In our spiritual journey, there is an important time to be conservative, just as there is an important time to be liberal. We are not meant to pick one of these over the other.

Birth of the Deaconate

In the first reading this Sunday from the Acts of the Apostles, we learn that a clear perception of the diversity of offices and duties in the first apostolic community arose very quickly. The essential function of the Twelve is the "service of the word," including development of the kerygma by formulation of the teachings of Jesus.

In Verse 2 we read: "It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at table." At the Apostles' invitation the disciples chose seven men led by St. Stephen. Fr. Thomas Rosica, CSB explains that our tradition sees in this group the origins of the future ministry of "deacons." The Deaconate has thrived through the ages. And today we Catholics in the USA are see a surge in its membership numbers.

Rapture, True Orthodoxy and the Eucharist

Over the years, some evangelical Christian denominations who believe the world will end have predicted its end date. If you remember the last famous predicted date was three years ago on May 21, 2011. Fans of the "Left behind" movie series have come to know this event as the Rapture. But what exactly is the Catholic teaching on the Rapture? There is none, explains Michael D. Guinan, O.F.M., Ph.D., a professor at the Franciscan School of Theology in Berkeley, California. He clarifies in detail that there is no traditional Christian teaching on the Rapture. A concept developed in the late 1800s, he says it is a late, and rather suspect, arrival on the scene.

In the book "Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist," Brant Pitre does a fantastic job of showing how various things from the Old Testament point to Christ. Joe Heschmeyer went on a similar journey and wrote this piece that shows five different ways the Eucharist is prefigured in the Old Testament, and what each of those things shows us about the Eucharist.

Fr. Ron Rolheiser, one of our featured weekly Sunday homilists,. is president of the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, Texas. In an article he penned a few years back for San Francisco’s archdiocesan newspaper, he answered the question “What makes for a healthy, balanced, orthodox faith?” He said, “Purity of dogma alone doesn't make us disciples of Jesus." Check out his sharp narrative on true orthodoxy.

Marriage & the Sanctity of Life

Msgr. Charles Pope talks about one of the more beautiful passages in the Old Testament: the 12th Chapter of Ecclesiastes. It is a melancholy but soulful meditation on old age. He presents it here in totality and presents his own commentaries.

New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan explains Marriage is the core of every civilization. He clarified again the definition of marriage that is hardwired into our human reason. It it is a lifelong union of love and fidelity leading to children, between one man and one woman. History, Natural Law, the Bible, the religions of the world, human experience, and just plain gumption tell us this is so.

And speaking of marriages, the Census Bureau reports an encouraging trend. Americans may be postponing marriage, and fewer are wedding at all. But what about the people who do get married? They’re staying together longer than they have in years. Statistics show that the number of long-lasting marriages in U.S. has risen in recent years. We'll take every bit of good news, no matter how small.

We can't help but share this wonderful wedding proposal with you. THIS is a marriage proposal that gets 4 stars in our book. It's one of the best we've ever seen. But we will let the video speak for itself. Enjoy.

Mary and the Month of May

As we celebrate this month of May, walking in a particular way with Mary, the Mother of God, Sr. Lisa Marie Doty lists 10 of the most popular pious Marian practices of the faithful as recommended by the Magisterium.

She also talked about how she learned to pray from the examples set by the Blessed Virgin Mary, through our blessed Mother's disposition towards the things of God especially through her example as a woman of deep prayer.



Another eventful week in our Catholic World. Have a great and blessed new week.

Keep the Faith. Peace.

Wally Arida
Publisher & Editor in chief

BURNING QUESTION: How Catholic are you? Take the Quiz
FEATURED BLOG: Five Keys to Encouraging Conversion
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"I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved."

In the Catholic tradition this Fourth Sunday after Easter is called Good Shepherd Sunday. It is also kept as a Special Day of Prayer for Vocations to the Priesthood and the Religious Life. Our Discussion Questions will guide your Sunday Bible Study sessions with family, friends and church groups.

The Good Shepherd Discourse

God's image as Shepherd did not originate with Jesus. One finds the figure of speech strewn throughout the Old Testament like a common pebble. You will discover it in the Books of Zechariah, Isaiah, Ezechiel, and Jeremiah for openers. And don't forget the celebrated 23rd Psalm which is our Responsorial Psalm today: "The Lord is my shepherd." Matthew and Luke as well as this Sunday's John applied it often to their Leader.

But this Gospel of John opens very differently than the other Gospels. Fr. Ron Rolheiser explains how there are no infancy narratives. Right at the beginning we already meet the adult Christ and the first words he speaks are a question: “What are you searching for?” John’s whole Gospel tries to answer that, but the full answer is given only at the very end, by Jesus himself. Christ showed us the way by living God’s way.

Jesus is the faithful follower of the Father’s will to the end. Fr. Orlando Sapuay, M.S points out that Christ alone is the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep. Fr. Alex McAllister says our Lord is telling us that it is only His teaching of unselfish love that will lead us to true life and happiness. And He is not content to see us barely survive.

Dr. Marcellino D'Ambrosio says Jesus wants us to thrive. So He spreads out a true feast before us. Imagine his surprise when most of his sheep walk right by the oasis with its succulent grass and instead insist on munching the dried weeds at the edge of the desert. But that’s what most Catholics appear to do. Prayers and rituals and fervor are wonderful and necessary. But when they don't lead to real conversion from selfish tendencies to genuine concern for others, Fr. Demetrius R. Dumm, O.S.B. warns us, we ignore Christ's feast.

On Hearing The Voice That Soothes

Most of us do not like to think of ourselves as followers. But sheep are followers. The voice of the one they know, of the one they recognize, they will follow. Through Jesus, God knows each and every one of us better than we know ourselves. Fr. James Gilhooley asks us to imagine our name on the lips of God Himself in His role as the Shepherd as He calls to us. The name that our Lord confirms for each of us, Fr. John Foley, S. J. reminds us, finds its way down to the deepest interior of our souls. Through it He calls us to be most truly who we are, in our own self and in God.

We may misunderstand the voice of God, the shepherd, ignore it, resist it, button our ears to it, but in our moments of sane and solitary wholeness—or maybe in our times of trouble—our spirits pulse to the rhythm of that voice. It resounds within us. If we are going to be anybody's sheep, then let it be Christ's.

Jesus is the Sheep Gate

There is a door through which all of us must pass: the door of death which leads beyond this earthly life. Father Cusick says Jesus Christ has gone through this door. Having died according to the flesh, He has revealed that death has no power over Him because He is Lord of life. For those who love Him and surrender to His lordship, Christ is the gate of the sheepfold. As Fr. Thomas Rosica, CSB reminds us, Jesus is the entrance into the loving security of God -- into the protection of the good shepherd.

No one comes to the Father except through him. So, let us open the door of our hearts to Jesus, Fr. Phil Bloom asks us. Repent for our sins, receive the Sacraments and put ourselves at the service of others.

May 11 is World Day of Prayer for Vocations

The Vatican has called for the World Day of Prayer for Vocations to be observed this Sunday, May 11, the fourth Sunday of Easter, commonly known as Good Shepherd Sunday. The USCCB offers many web resources to develop a vocation culture. Among these resources is the USCCB's list of "10 ways to promote religious vocations" in our parishes.

So how is parish stacking up in your efforts to develop priestly vocations? Allow us to share the stories of two parishes where the Holy Spirit is working overtime. The first one talks about how the pastoral and school staff at St. Mary Help of Christians Church worked to develop theirs into a vocations-aware parish in Aiken, S.C. The second parish success story comes from the Archdiocese of Atlanta where a simple seminarian "adoption" program sparked active discernment among parish young people.

Osama Bin Laden, Mercy & True Spirituality

Allison's husband escaped from the 68th floor of Tower One before the building collapsed on 9/11. As she contemplated the death of the man who tried to murder her beloved, she also considered Osama Bin Laden's destiny, which now is in God's hands. She took a look at Pope John Paul II's life, which mirrored Christ's in so many ways, and she learned that mercy is greater than justice. Paul Dion, STL echoed the same sentiments on the bin Laden killing in his blog, "Are you sure that you are pro-Life?"

These lead us into more soul-searching reflection. In Psalm 81, God is anxious for us to allow Him to take care of us. Sadly, we are inclined to give up too easily on God and trust in our own ability to control our situations. If we are being honest, would we admit that our faith and trust in God is primarily intellectual? Anthony Buono leads the discussion.

Last Easter, many were received into our Catholic Church. It is best we remind ourselves that it is just the beginning of their journey. Msgr. Charles Pope talks about the challenging need to more clearly instruct Catechumens and those being received into the Church about spiritual attack. Plain and simple, the devil wants to destroy the faith of those who have newly entered the Church. And we need to be sober about this.

And here's a reflection from someone who, while attending Mass this past Sunday, experienced so many distractions that it inspired this post. As she reflected on what she saw and heard, she soon realized that at some point in the past, she also has been guilty of partaking in every single one of the distractions she points out..

Catholic News

Here's a gem from Pope Benedict a few years back. In this discourse, he reminded us all that the Bible’s truth is found in its totality. He said one cannot take individual biblical quotes or passages and say each one is literally true. Pope Benedict XVI said. “It is possible to perceive the Sacred Scriptures as the word of God” only by looking at the Bible as a whole, “a totality in which the individual elements enlighten each other and open the way to understanding.” He also spoke about the Liturgy, pointing out that it lives from a constant relationship between tradition and progress. He clarified that not infrequently tradition and progress are clumsily opposed. "In reality," he added, "the two concepts are integrated: tradition is a living reality, which because of this includes in itself the principle of development, of progress."

Mary, the Month of May & the Rosary

May is the month devoted to Mary and to praying the rosary. “Love our Lady…” This was the message Deacon Greg Kandra gleaned while working his way through St. Josemaria Escriva’s “The Way.” He said this is what jumped out at him one morning: “Love our Lady. And she will obtain abundant grace to help you conquer in your daily struggle. And the enemy will gain nothing by those perversities that seem to boil up continually within you, trying to engulf in their fragrant corruption the high ideals, those sublime commands that Christ himself has placed in your heart. Serviam! — ‘I will serve!’”

Catholic Businessmen, Smile s and Mothers Day

A few years ago, Dawn Carpenter had an interesting conversation with one of our country’s most respected business leaders about Catholic business ethics. Intrigued, he wanted the “elevator pitch” version of what Faith could do to inform business, beyond its admonishment about the rich man’s difficulties getting into heaven. Here’s what she told him — the five things that every Catholic businessperson must know.

How about making a stranger smile? Don’t wait for people to smile. Show them how. We offer you 88 ways to do it.


Fr. Phil Bloom uses this Sunday's celebration of Mothers Day and his homily as good moment to address a difficult issue: the decline in reverence for motherhood - and fatherhood. "Behold your Mother" is a wonderful Mothers Day reflection by Cheryl Dickow. While Susan Hines-Brigger asks "Mother's Day: What Does It Really Mean?" And we bring you the story of Chastity Brown who is "Happy to be celebrating my first Mother's Day." Finally just in case you haven't lifted a finger in preparation for Sunday's celebration, "Planning ahead for Mother’s Day" offers to help make the occasion delightful, fun and relaxing. 

Another eventful week in our Catholic World. Happy Mothers Day to all mothers. I love you, mom!

Keep the Faith. Peace.

Wally Arida
Publisher & Editor in chief

BURNING QUESTION: Should Christians perform the sign of the cross?
FEATURED BLOG: Five Things Every Catholic Businessperson Must Know
PASTORAL HISPANA: Escuchar la voz del Buen Pastor

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"Whoever drinks the water I shall give will never thirst"

The theme of thirsting and water continues in this Third Sunday of Lent's fascinating and evocative Gospel story of the woman of Samaria and her encounter with Jesus at high noon. Our Discussion Questions will guide your Online Sunday Bible Study sessions with your family, friends and church groups.

The Samaritan Woman

Once again, Jesus is led by the Spirit into the wilderness for a critical encounter. This time he meets not Satan, but a most unlikely angel. In the heat of the day, a woman joins him for a life-giving exchange. The Samaritan woman is the most carefully and intensely catechized person in John's Gospel.

Christ engaged this woman as an equal. He showered her with kindness and treated her as a princess. Fr. James Gilhooley says Christ saw in her not the evil things she had done in her life but rather the heroine she could become with His encouragement. Her story is a metaphor for our own lives -- often lived in deserts of alienation, sinfulness, despair. Fr. Thomas Rosica, CSB reminds us that Lent invites us to join the woman of Samaria in today's Gospel and the women of Samaria throughout the world and all those so desperately in need of life.

Father Cusick tells us we should all be like this simple woman, whose simplicity enables her to encounter, without prejudice, the revelation of Almighty God. Will each one of us accept God as He lovingly and wisely reveals Himself, or will we, tragically, reject Him because He does not appear according to our preconceived notions?

Thirsting for Living Water

Jesus speaks about Living Water and we interpret this as the Water of Baptism and we are not wrong. But we can think of all kinds of Living Water—the Living Water of the Scriptures, the Living Water of Prayer, the Living Water of Worship, the Living Water of our Christian Fellowship, the Living Water of the Cry of the Poor and so on.

We need to be fed, we need to have our thirst quenched. But often, explains Fr. John Foley, S. J., you and I use other worldly things to try and satisfy this great need: food, work, looks, accomplishment, other persons, sex, drink, and so on. We thirst for God. Sometimes we drink Him in. But, Fr. Joseph Pellegrino points out, often we ignore Jesus. Sometimes we downright reject Him. But He doesn’t give up on us.

As we enter into these more intense weeks of Lent, we recognize a longing in our hearts. Fr. Phil Bloom says it is a thirst that has its source in God's thirst for us. And it is only the words of Jesus spoken to us through the scriptures, explains Fr. Alex McAllister SDS, that can bring us real satisfaction and fulfilment.

God's Gift is for All His Children

When Jesus asks the Samaritan woman for a drink, she is amazed that he seems so unaware of how things really are. Does he not know about the human conventions that have condemned her to social invisibility?

It is interesting to note in the gospels how the apostles, well-meaning of course, often tried to keep certain people - like the Samaritan woman - away from Jesus as if they weren’t worthy. Fr. Ron Rolheiser reminds us that things haven’t changed today. Always in the church, we, well-intentioned persons, for the same reasons as the apostles, keep trying to keep certain individuals and groups away from God’s mercy.

This gospel story, Fr. Orlando Sapuay, M.S. clarifies, is a witness to the gift of God for all His children. In the breaking down of barriers, Jesus shows us a new way to learn about one another and learn that we need one another. Today's gospel, explains Fr. Demetrius R. Dumm, O.S.B, invites us to dream about the possibility of a world where opportunity and hope replace the bondage of fear and despair.

So, do you think non-Catholics go to heaven? Our Burning Question challenges you to speak from the heart. If the Father can lovingly offer the Son for the very least, those who have turned away, then why can’t we offer a small portion of our time and energy to the most challenging people? College student Megan Diestelmeier poses the question.

This Lenten season, Dr. Marcellino D'Ambrosio asks us to be like the Samaritan woman. Let us abandon our water jars and return to town to tell everyone about Jesus. Did she wait till she had a master’s degree in theology? No. She simply told people, with joy, confidence, and conviction, what Jesus had done for her. And she invited people to come and experience him for themselves. We should do the same.

Confession, Spiritual Fitness & Almsgiving

When's a good time to go to Confession? For New York's Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan, it's on Saturday mornings. Three years ago,  the then archbishop would get a brisk hike in to one of the many city churches that offers the sacrament of Penance. He sneaks in, rarely recognized since he's in walking clothes, and stands in line with the others outside the confessional. In he goes, contrite, forgiven he leaves, gratefully he prays, and renewed he walks back home. What a great example he offered to those who struggle with this most difficult sacrament of all.

People recognize the importance of a regular physical workout. But, Judith Costello explains, there is another kind of “workout” that is far more important. Unfortunately, it gets no press. There is no “Biggest Losers” TV show about spiritual fitness. But there should be. Those who neglect their prayer life may very well be “the biggest losers.”

Spiritual fitness is a process of tuning into the silence of the heart in order to connect with God. It’s not easy. Msgr. Charles Pope says frequently the problem is one of the stubborn and unrepentant heart. The heart becomes obstinate, stubborn, incorrigible, and unrepentant. Increasingly, the heart becomes hardened and unlikely to change, even despite overwhelming evidence that the course one is on is destructive, and a source of pain.

Which brings us to an interesting question. Is Hell Crowded or Empty? Fr. Robert Barron shares his reflection on this topic from a Catholic perspective.

One of the ways we mark Lent is through almsgiving, which doesn't just mean writing checks but engaging in all the Works of Mercy recommended by the Church. John Zmirak challenges us to perform one specific work of mercy that that has never really appealed to him: "visiting the prisoner." Read more about his enlightening experience.

Mass Attendance, Teens & College Life

We usually think of the 1950s as an era when just about everyone went to Church. But even at that time there were already trends underway that indicated not all was perfect in paradise. It is a long and unfortunate trend that men have often left the spiritual upbringing of the Church to their wives and stayed home on Sundays. Msgr. Charles Pope sets the record straight. Mass attendance has indeed dropped. But it's not as much as we may think.

If you're about to start college, are currently enrolled, recently or not so recently graduated -- or even if you never attended at all -- don't put it on a pedestal. College student Elizabeth Hanna says today's college experience might be "fun," but you can't escape the consequences to your body, mind, and soul. The last three years of her life have been awesome, but not because of the number of Facebook pictures she has holding up a red Solo cup. Rather, in this time she's matured as a person and grown closer to God and others.

Which brings us to a major challenge our youth faces on a daily basis: supervising social
media. Tell me a teen who's not on Facebook. Danielle Bean offers soem really timely advise for teens and parents. She offers her "5 Rules for Teens on Facebook."

Another eventful week in our Catholic World. Have a great and blessed new week.

Keep the Faith. Peace.

Wally Arida
Publisher & Editor in chief


BURNING QUESTION: "Can non-Catholic people go to heaven?"
FEATURED BLOG: Is Hell Crowded or Empty? A Catholic Perspective
PASTORAL HISPANA: Solo Dios puede saciar plenamente la sed del ser humano

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