In my new book, When the Sickle Swings: Stories of Catholics Who Survived Communist Oppression, I document the testimonies of heroic Catholics who kept the faith despite persecution by hostile regimes the world over. I was privileged to interview survivors of...
St. Martin De Porres, Pray For Us! Image created by @thestumpofjesse
What would it mean to you, your family, and our dear Lord, if you could offer new ways to inspire the next generation of Catholics to give our Church and Our Lord another look, another glance Christ’s way; but in a manner that might better resonate with the current...
Saint Teresa of Calcutta was known for spending countless hours attending to the dying, the sick, and the poor. This flowed from her rich prayer life: Daily Mass and a daily holy hour. Where did Mother Teresa learn to sacrifice herself for others? Her first teacher in...
I am impressed every time my child spots a dandelion and plucks it as if something truly magnificent has captured his attention. This kind of wonder seems to fade as we get older. So I have always been interested in how the saints were able to not just maintain this...
Even if you didn't watch the Oscars, you've likely seen all over social media what occurred between Chris Rock, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Will Smith. An offensive joke was told at the expense of Jada Pinkett Smith and her husband retaliated by walking on stage to slap...
Civil Rights activist, Paul Bokulich, marched with Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. In the short documentary You Have to Have Light to Dispel the Darkness, he reflects back on the effects of his years in Selma and Eutaw, Alabama living in a shack house, falling in love,...
There has been a post circulating around Facebook and other places which begins “I’m not pro-murdering babies.” The post then presents various circumstances in which an abortion could be justified, in the view of the author. The problems with the post and many and...
Catholic social teaching is rightly called “social” because it pertains to how we organize ourselves as a society. Rather, I should say as individual societies that are gathered up into one human family.
Imagine with me for a second: You’re standing on top of a 30-foot cliff, about to jump into a level 3 white-water rapid in Colorado…you hold the instructor’s hand as he attempts to console you...“just walk straight forward, pull your feet together as you fall, just...
St. Therese’s parents, as they are most commonly known, are incredible prolife witnesses. They didn’t found the March for Life or repeal laws or establish pregnancy crisis centers, which are all amazing ways to help protect and respect life from conception until a...
Volunteering is incredibly beneficial to our spiritual growth. Serving in the community provides opportunities to focus on the needs of others, challenges us in new ways, develops virtues, and encourages us to pray more. But, once you become a mom, isn't your family...
Racism is Always Evil There are some things that are always true, no matter when, where, or whom is involved. One of these truths is that racism is always wrong. It is a form of discrimination which is always unjust and, therefore, morally wrong and incompatible with...
Some of the most inspiring and charitable stories I’ve seen over the last few months come from restaurants. Though fewer industries have taken a bigger hit during the global wide quarantine than the restaurant industry, I have seen story after story of restaurant...
We pray for the children… Who wake up early and eat the entire box of cereal, Who sleep in until noon, Who wear their pajamas ALL.DAY.LONG. And we pray for the those, Who wake up hungry, but can’t find any food in the house, Who sleep on the floor in a crowded room,...
For anyone old enough to remember when the movie Dead Man Walking was released in 1995, they might recall how it became a defining moment in the American consciousness around the issue of capital punishment. Sr. Helen Prejean's story of faith and accompaniment on...
Though these times are challenging, there are so many people doing amazing things for the Lord. Here is a list of some of the things that we have found to be incredibly inspiring! People Doing Amazing Things In This Time Of Trial Samaritan's Purse Opens A Field...
What does it mean to be pro-life? It's more than prayers. It's even more than marching in Washington D.C. and standing outside abortion clinics. If you really want to understand what it means to be pro-life, watch the incredibly beautiful story of Connie McEldowney....
“In a divided and fragmented world, I want to invite all believers, and also all people of good will, to reconciliation and fraternity. Our faith leads us to spread the values of peace and mutual understanding, of the common good. We pray that Christians, followers of...
Without fail, whether it’s at the grocery store or at a family party, my kids will get asked the same question over and over and over again this time of year. What do you want for Christmas? I know people are just being kind and they really enjoy hearing about...
Catholicism and coffee have gone hand in hand for centuries. It was Pope Clement VIII who “baptized” coffee after many years of being considered a suspicious drink throughout Christendom. It was even referred to as “Satan’s drink,” in some circles, but after tasting...
When people hear the word “missionary”, most people think of someone who travels to another country to share the Gospel, teach in schools, volunteer in hospitals, and serve the community. Missionaries go to places like Africa, El Salvador, and Haiti. That was always...
Father Theodore Hesburgh is best known for his role as president of the prestigious University of Notre Dame over the course of 35 years from 1952-1987, but his role in the culture of America during some of the country’s most tumultuous times is what he will be...
Another year brings fresh New Year’s Resolution attempts. Back in 2016, I made a resolution to volunteer, but at the time I just didn’t know where I wanted to volunteer. I never felt God instantly calling me to any particular volunteer program. It took a period of...