07 Friday Oct 2016
After barreling across the Caribbean, Hurricane Matthew, the most powerful storm to threaten the Atlantic coast in more than a decade has left death and devastation in its wake. The World Meteorological Organization, described the storm as “one big, bad beast.” The storm hit Florida this past Thursday night, heading north along the eastern seaboard. Hundreds of thousands homes and untold lives have been ripped apart by the storm.
02 Sunday Oct 2016
Does your marriage need a boost? Has your marriage and family life become routine; lacking the joy it had when you were newlyweds? You can jump start your marriage and revitalize it by living out one simple truth from Sacred Scripture:
25 Sunday Sep 2016
Archbishop Charles J. Chaput of Philadelphia recently gave an address on religious liberty at the University of Notre Dame. The Archbishop’s address included comments on the current state of marriage and family life in the United States and what must be done to fix it. Here are some highlights of his address:
18 Sunday Sep 2016
We are all called to a life of holiness.[1] That holiness is achieved through our chosen vocation whether we are called to the religious, married or consecrated life. The way in which we live out our vocation is known as our spirituality. The Church has a long history of spirituality for the monastic, religious and consecrated life. However, lay spirituality, particularly in the family, is essentially undeveloped.
11 Sunday Sep 2016
Every few years, I (Dennis) undergo a stress test to determine the condition of my heart. These checkups are required as the result of a heart attack I suffered 20 years ago. The tests show if there is any deterioration in the heart muscle over time and if any intervention is required to ensure the health of my heart.
Jesus said to his disciples: A good tree does not bear rotten fruit, nor does a rotten tree bear good fruit. For every tree is known by its own fruit. For people do not pick figs from thornbushes, nor do they gather grapes from brambles. A good person out of the store of goodness in his heart produces good, but an evil person out of a store of evil produces evil; for from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks. (Lk 6:43-45)
04 Sunday Sep 2016
Saint Teresa of Calcutta, foundress of the Missionaries of Charity, was canonized today by Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square. Most remembered for her work with the poorest of the poor in Calcutta, Mother Teresa had much to say about the importance of traditional marriage and family life.
28 Sunday Aug 2016
There is an old joke that says there are three rings of marriage: the engagement ring, the wedding ring and the suffer-ring. People laugh at this but it “rings” with some truth. As couples prepare for marriage, their thoughts are centered on their hopes and dreams for a future filled with joy and happiness. But suffering is inevitable in all of our lives; no one is immune from sickness, trials and ultimately the death of a loved one. We need to think about how we will deal with suffering when it comes. Will it break our relationship or will it draw us closer together? Christ-centered marriages have a better chance of surviving the inescapable sufferings and trials when they come.
21 Sunday Aug 2016
When you hear of a “destination wedding,” what thoughts come to mind? Do you think of a far-away exotic location with the bride and groom standing barefoot on the beach professing their love for each other? Have you ever thought about the ultimate destination – the Wedding Feast of the Lamb?
Heaven is our true destination. The task of every husband and wife is to help their spouse get there. While a wedding on the beach may be beautiful, the Sacrament of Matrimony provides the couple with an ocean of the grace necessary to live marriage according to God’s plan.
14 Sunday Aug 2016
Did you know that Canon Law in the Catholic Church dictates the foundational content of marriage preparation? In the chapter entitled, “Pastoral Care and Those Things Which Must Precede the Celebration of Marriage,” Canon Law has this to say about what constitutes a solid marriage preparation program:
07 Sunday Aug 2016
While doing his doctrinal studies in theology in Germany in the 1980s, Pope Francis discovered a local devotion to “Mary Untier of Knots.” Since then, he has encouraged this powerful devotion that is based on a painting found in the church of St. Peter am Perlach, in Augsburg, Bavaria, Germany.
The painting depicts Mary suspended between heaven and earth, resplendent with light. The Holy Spirit in the form of a dove is above her head, reminding us that she became Mother of God and full of grace by virtue of the third person of the Trinity. She is dressed in a crimson gown, with a deep blue mantle representing her glory as Queen of the Universe. A crown of 12 stars adorns her head signifying her as Queen of the Apostles. Her feet crush the head of the serpent confirming her part in the victory over Satan. She is surrounded by angels, signifying her position as Queen of the Angels and Queen of Heaven. In her hands is a knotted white ribbon, which she is serenely untying. Assisting her are two angels: one presents the knots of our lives to her, while another angel presents the ribbon, freed from knots, to us.
Calling Couples to Christ 