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Faith
Be a real-life Catholic
By Steve Givens Chris Stefanick believes we often fail in our efforts to evangelize for one simple reason: We don’t speak clearly enough about the power of Jesus to transform lives. “To be really effective in evangelization, you have to…
Standing up for inmates on death row
by Daniel P. Smith Sr. Helen Prejean’s words come fast, carrying the sharp Louisiana twang engrained in her DNA and fueled by a purpose that rumbles in her soul. A complex and often controversial figure as one of the nation’s foremost…
Blessings From On High
by Lisa M. Hendey "Thank you, Lord, for the new life you have given me,” prayed a 26-year-old refugee who had finally reached shore after 18 days at sea. “I will dedicate my new life to whatever you have in store for me.” In many ways, this…
Healing & Peace
By Paul McKibben Fr. George “Chip” Hines has experienced the power of Christ’s healing from the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick as both a priest and a recipient of it. “This is a grace that I’m receiving, and we cooperate with grace,”…
What my first fishing trip taught me about the Gospels, evangelization, and the spiritual life
The parishes I serve in southern Door and Kewaunee counties in Wisconsin are surrounded by bodies of water. One is close to the Bay of Green Bay, off which, many of my parishioners live. The other is situated closer to Lake Michigan. In my…
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…
Learning to Walk on Water
By Gary Zimak It’s easy to trust God when all is going well. During those “blue sky” periods, we typically don’t spend too much time analyzing our faith. It’s a different story, however, when we are faced with an unexpected storm. We are…
Praying for our adult sons and daughters
by John J. Boucher Once, while setting up for a workshop about “adult children,” three parents approached me. Maria lamented, “I brought my kids to Mass every week, but only one out of three is now willing to go to church.” Frank added, “My…
St. John the Baptist: ‘Graced by God’
John isn’t exactly a funny name to us but when St. John the Baptist was born, his relatives were scratching their heads over it. “Where did that come from? Nobody else in the family has that name.” “Elizabeth dear, shouldn’t the boy be…
Perfect — and powerful — summer devotions for the holy souls in purgatory
Ah, summertime, and the living is easy. Vacation. A few days at the beach. An afternoon picnic in the park. And … Prayers for the suffering souls in purgatory? Absolutely! No week or two off for them. Purgatory is never a day at the beach.…
