Category: Articles

Good Enough for God’s Work Articles

Good Enough for God’s Work

In a brief conversation with a friend this past weekend, she shared with me something that I think most Christians can relate to. She felt unworthy of sharing her faith, because she didn't feel like she was in the right place spiritually. From the outside I know that she, like all of us, has much to offer and her words have inspired me to write this post.
Love is the Purpose of Life Articles

Love is the Purpose of Life

As I journey through life—enduring moments of sadness and joy, facing struggles and receiving blessings—I often reflect on one of the most perplexing of questions: what is the purpose of life? Human life is ordered by God. It has a purpose. In my own experience I have come to believe that the purpose of life is to learn how to love as God loves.
For Greater Glory Articles

For Greater Glory

Finally, a well-made Catholic film with an all-star cast of talented actors who bring this untold story to life on the big screen. For Greater Glory tells the tale of the Cristero War which took place during the 1920's in Mexico when the government put laws in to place to do away with the Catholic Church in their country.
Gifted Hands Articles

Gifted Hands

Cuba Gooding Jr. stars in Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story, a true story about a young african-american boy who dreams of being a doctor. As a young boy, Ben lives with his older brother and single mother and struggles as the only black student in an all-white class. His grades are horrible and as the other kids tease him he develops a raging temper and starts to act out. It is his faith in God and the constant motivation of his mother that gets him to finally step up—as well as some reading glasses.
Castaway on the Moon Articles

Castaway on the Moon

One of my favorite foreign films Castaway on the Moon is the story of a Korean man named Kim who is overwhelmed with the pressures of life—mainly an enormous amount of debt and loneliness after his girlfriend leaves him. In an attempt to put himself out of his misery, he takes a swan dive off of a bridge. To his dismay, he wakes up on a deserted island, the only problem is that this island is in the middle of Han River. Kim is a castaway in an urban oasis.
The Way Articles

The Way

This film stars father and son duo Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez in an inspirational story about living life to the fullest. Martin Sheen plays a fallen-away Catholic who gets the call that every parent dreads. The man on the other end gives him the news that his only son is dead and he drops everything to fly overseas to France to identify the body and pick up his sons remains.
Reluctant Saint Articles

Reluctant Saint

He is one of the most revered saints of all time—having inspired many over the past 800 years. And although he didn't seek fame or notoriety, his exemplary living of the Christian faith is one that anyone can find inspirational. Many times the lives of the saints are glorified, offering an unrealistic view of who they really were. But Donald Spoto, author of over 19 biographies, uses his honed skills to chronicle the truth about the leader of the Lesser Brothers in Reluctant Saint: The Life of Saint Francis of Assisi.
Fortnight for Freedom Articles

Fortnight for Freedom

One of my favorite dramatic musical productions is Fiddler on the Roof. It deals with how far one might bend in upholding one’s principles before one breaks under the influence of a changing culture. Dramatic productions are enjoyable as well as excellent vehicles of portraying perennial or age-old truths. In this production, the Jewish father, Tevye, is challenged to compromise his principles by his three daughters. He submits to the pleas of the first two and, then, judges or feels that he must stand his ground with the third as she challenges him to compromise his principles.
The Lord’s Ascension Articles

The Lord’s Ascension

As Jesus was leaving this world to return to the Father, He promised us as His followers: "You will recieve power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; you will be my witnesses to the ends of the earth." As we celebrate the feast of the Ascension, it is well for us to reflect upon its meaning.
International Priests Articles

International Priests

Here at the Oblate residence where I live, Fr. Leo Dummer and I hosted some 15 people, mostly international priests, this past Wed. The Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) of Washington, DC had requested Fr. Ron Carignan of the Oblate School of Theology to make arrangements for this gathering. Ron is a contemporary of ours who established the program for international priests which functions in conjunction with Oblate School of Theology.
Creating a Nation of Adoration Articles

Creating a Nation of Adoration

As I so frequently point out, our culture tends to lead us to centralize the world on ourselves. But the world does not revolve around us. For this reason people find it difficult to pray, to go to church and worship anything other than themselves. We have come to think of ourselves as gods. But this mindset and lifestyle is extremely flawed and dangerous to ourselves and the world. What is even worse is the fact that many Christians are also taking up this point of view without even realizing it.