More than just preparing for the Nativity of Christ at Christmas, the Church reminds us that during Advent we are also to prepare for Christ’s
For those with a special devotion to Our Lady of Fatima, Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle provides the perfect opportunity to journey through the season with Our
Advent is traditionally a time of quiet reflection as we prepare our hearts to embrace the Christ Child once again. Two new Advent devotionals for
Excitement is in the air as the “holiday season” begins. Around the same time as the reunions and feasts of Thanksgiving, Christmas lights begin to
There is a stone building called “Mary’s House” near the ancient city of Ephesus (modern-day Turkey) on a hillside named “Nightingale”. The house is simple,
Catholics can rightfully wish each other “Happy New Year!” on Sunday, December 2nd, because it is the beginning of a new liturgical year in the
One filled with joy preaches without preaching. —St. Teresa of Calcutta Happy New Year! No, I’m not a month early. For Catholics who try to
As you read this you probably either A) have not dived into your Thanksgiving feast or B) just finished. You’re probably also going to say….really
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to
For maybe a few weeks or so during the Advent and Christmas seasons and into the New Year, many people take Charles Dickens’ message in
God had a plan to save us, billions of people, from our alienation from him due to Adam’s sin and due to our personal sins.
My school report was so bad that my eldest brother was commissioned with the task of teaching me to read. But when he could not
Sunday night, as others are preparing to ring in the new year by getting plowed on mixed drinks, I will most likely be writing
Ever since the creation of the world, His invisible attributes of eternal power and divinity have been able to be understood and perceived in what
For some, the sights, signs and smells of the holidays bring joy and a warm feeling. But, while others are joyously diving into the season,
Now that the liturgical season of Christmas is upon us, I cannot help but reflect upon the great mystery of the Incarnation. Whenever I find
Do we wait for Christmas morning with a joyful expectation or has life’s disappointments left us jaded and closed to any spiritual surprises or gifts
A month or two ago I started wondering about the Christmas season. Specifically, I wondered why it seemed so much more magical to me as
“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” (The Summer Day, Mary Oliver) We are in the midst
I saw my grandfather forty years after he died. I loved I him with all my heart, not because he gave me toys, bought me
My strawberry-blond, freckled-faced, non-stop mother, Jeannine, was the youngest of four and as such was hopelessly spoiled. Nicknamed “Peaches,” she was a very welcome addition
Few people have likely ever been so dismayed by the passing of Christmas as the Magi and the prophet Simeon, as least as the poet