Author

Derek Pettinelli
Derek Pettinelli is a 2017 graduate of Assumption College in Worcester, Massachusetts, with a bachelor of arts degree in writing and mass communications and political science.
Advent begins Dec. 1 this year. It can be easy to miss out on this liturgical season because of the hectic nature of the holidays. Here are five ways to observe these important weeks before Christmas. Make a Jesse tree Create your own Jesse…
Five prayers for the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul
The Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul is June 29. Here are five prayers to these two apostles. Sts. Peter and Paul, pray for us! 1. O holy Apostles, Peter and Paul, intercede for us. Protect, O Lord, your people who trust in the patronage of…
Encouraging men about the value of fatherhood
In his book, How to be a Superman Dad in a Kryptonite World: Even When You Can’t Afford a Decent Cape (Guiding Light Books, 2017), John Clark, husband and father of nine, draws upon his own experiences to discuss the value of fatherhood.…
Healing the Culture
When people with strong opinions talk to others with differing strong opinions, things tend to get heated, especially on the issues of life. But that’s where Healing the Culture, a nonprofit organization based in Washington state, is…
Five family activities to celebrate the Epiphany
The Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord is celebrated either on the 12th day after Christmas, Jan. 6, or on the first Sunday after Jan 1. Below are some ideas you can incorporate into your celebration this year, inspired by some…
Practical ways to keep your New Year’s resolutions
Only resolve to do things you really want to achieve. This may be a bit of a cliché, but it is still exceedingly important. If you don’t really want something, you won’t be able to make yourself really pursue it. Make sure your resolutions…
Inspiration from St. John XXIII
The feast day of St. John XXIII is Oct. 11. Born Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli, he served as pope from Oct. 28, 1958 until his death on June 3, 1963. Pope Francis canonized John XXIII on April 27, 2014. St. John XXIII (1881–1963) began the…
Deepen your prayer and faith with John Henry Cardinal Newman
In celebration of John Henry Cardinal Newman’s canonization on Sunday, Ignatius Press has released a volume of his most profound devotions titled Prayers, Verses and Devotions (2019). Mark Brumley, president of Ignatius Press, spoke with…
Five facts about St. Robert Bellarmine, SJ, doctor of the Church
St. Robert Bellarmine (1542–1621) was a scholar who focused primarily on studies of Church history and the Church Fathers. In response to the Protestant Reformation, much of his efforts went toward organizing Church doctrine for clarity…
‘The worker’s human dignity … must be recognized’
This Labor Day ponder these reflections about work. Pope Leo XIII Each needs the other: Capital cannot do without labor, nor labor without capital. Mutual agreement results in the beauty of good order. Rerum Novarum (On Capital and Labor),…