St. Paul Miki was born in Japan between 1564 and 1566. He joined the Jesuits and preached the gospel to the Japanese people with great success. When a Catholic persecution arose, he was arrested with 25 others and taken to Nagasaki where they were bound to crosses and speared.
T’was days before Christmas,
On the first Christmas Mary and Joseph had traveled to Bethlehem to pay their taxes. They were among a multitude of other people who were making the same trip for the same reason.
Depressed and brokenhearted, Bob May stared out of his drafty apartment window into the chilling December night. His four-year-old daughter, Barbara, sat on his lap quietly sobbing.
If you think we are afflicted by the Pandemic, read what Martin Rinkert had to endure in the early 17th Century. In the midst of a long war and the plague, he had an attitude of gratitude.
Joe Biden or Donald Trump will never visit me in my home, stand beside me at the funeral home or dance at my wedding.
My sister sent me 14 humor statements about what is happening today.
When Pope Francis talked about his endorsement of civil unions for same-sex partners, the news was broadcasted around the world over every possible media. Everyone had their own “spin” on what the Pope had said. Even comedians got into the act. Jimmy Kimmel said in his opening remarks on his…
I recently read the book, The Gift of Forgiveness, by Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt. She is the eldest child of actor and politician Arnold Schwarzenegger and journalist Maria Shriver. Her maternal grandmother, Eunice, was a younger sister of John F. Kennedy. She had connections.
Occasionally we all feel like we are living in a rut. Our days and weeks are filled with the same activities and schedules. We mow grass, rake leaves, clean the house, sweep out the garage and do the same jobs. We go to the same grocery store on a certain day, wash our car at the same place …
Halloween is typically a relaxed day for America's kids to fill their coffers with candy. Children and adults often don their favorite wacky attire for a day of comic relief.
I was shocked, along with many other good people, at the recent scandalous misconduct of two priests from the Archdiocese of New Orleans – Frs. Pat Wattigny and Travis Clark.
Most every American has an opinion about the upcoming election.
We, as a nation, are deeply divided on many issues. One big issue is how we look at our past. On one side, we have those who emphasis all the good qualities and who want to forget the mistakes and sins of the past. On the other side, we see people who want to deal with our past mistakes and …
I was shocked when I read what a young priest wrote on Facebook, “I’m not watching the Saints this year . . . Join me in boycotting them . . . Money speaks louder than politics. You have one job NFL, entertain the masses. You represent your state, not political factions or parties.”
Fall season officially begins September 22 this year. For every season there is a change. Most of us like the seasons especially if we can have four of them.
Fr. Dan Krutz is the Executive Direct of Louisiana Interchurch Conference. The following is an article he wrote entitled, “For the Healing of the Nations.”
After the death of her father and stepmother, Catherine and her sisters visited an Indian reservation. This visit made a huge impression on young Katharine. After seeing the poverty, she helped Native Americans by providing schools and staff along with food, shelter, and clothing.
Some of America's problems can be fixed.
In a dream, God tells Solomon to “ask for something” and God promises to give it to him.
Irena Sendler was a Polish humanitarian, social worker, and nurse who served in the Polish Underground Resistance during World War II in German-occupied Warsaw. She died on May 12, 2008 in Warsaw, Poland at the age of 98.
Representative John Lewis died on July 18. I had seen him on TV strongly advocating for some just cause, but I really did not know him as a person. He has been hailed as an American Icon, the Moral Conscience of Congress, a lifelong Civil Rights leader, a person who was willing to go to jail…
How many friends do you have? Thousands?
The history of the transatlantic slave trade involved the transportation of enslaved African people mainly to the Americas. It existed from the 16th to the 19th centuries.
I've been a bicycle rider my whole life.
A couple of weeks ago we celebrated the 4th of July, the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Reflecting on our nation’s birthday, I noticed this holiday has become more militaristic in tone than in years past. We have gotten away from our country’s founding values.
Americans hope they will never be bullied by a police officer. A man or woman with a badge and a gun can be an intimidating figure. If a cop pulls you over and bullies you, what can you do? Americans are at the mercy of bad cops. Who hasn't been afraid of a police officer at one time or anot…
Once an elderly gentleman was taking his usual evening walk. He was enjoying the cool night air and the gentle breeze. Suddenly he heard a voice crying out, “Help me! Help me!” The man looked around and saw no one so he continued his walk.
The Franciscan Father Richard Rohr writes a Daily Meditation for anyone interested in spiritual growth. The following was his meditation for Monday, June 8, 2020. It’s entitled, “The Unspoken Privilege of Being White.” He invited his readers to “pass it on.”
These past weeks we have seen some protesters who refuse to obey the medical experts’ social distancing guidelines. They also showed their support for President Trump, who appeared to endorse demonstrations against lockdown measures by saying some governors had gone “too far” with their impl…
A Persian Proverb says, “Two things indicate weakness – to be silent when speaking is proper, and to speak when being silent is proper.”
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