Category: Articles

The Trio You’ve Got to Know Articles

The Trio You’ve Got to Know

Sometimes it's hard to understand, yet explain the mysteries of life. After all I'm just another guy on a journey. But I wanted to try a new approach and explain an old truth.
My First Real Christmas Articles

My First Real Christmas

For most people Christmas is about spending time with family. We decorate our houses with lights and put up Christmas trees. We send cards to our friends and families expressing our love for them and wishing them peace. All of these are wonderful ways to celebrate—things my family has always practiced—but the true meaning of Christmas is often forgotten. So this year—as a fairly new member of the Church—I decided to actually go to church on Christmas Eve. I know, how original right?
Your True Christmas Articles

Your True Christmas

During this season of Advent, how are you preparing to receive the Child Jesus on his Birthday? Is your house full of decorations? Is your credit card maxed-out after buying all the gifts? Or is your fridge full of happy drinks and enough food to have a fun time? All of this sounds great. You are ready to have a wonderful time with everyone else of course, but what about Him? Are you ready to receive Him into your heart? Have you really looked into yourself and cleaned up for the most special guest of all. Have you prepared that special place where He can dwell inside of you?
Palm Trees & the Christian Life Articles

Palm Trees & the Christian Life

Recently, extremely strong winds pounded the Pasadena area uprooting trees, stripping them of leaves, and tearing off branches. The streets have been littered with debris for the past week and some people are even without electricity due to the trees falling on power lines. But amidst all the damage caused to most of the trees in the area, the palm trees still stand tall.
Why God Wants Your Body Articles

Why God Wants Your Body

As a man of faith I realize how easy it is to get the idea that it's what's on the inside that counts, meaning my soul. I do believe that my soul is that "seed of eternity" planted in me by my Creator, but I think it's important to note that our bodies are of extreme value as well and we should care for both body and soul for they are both holy.
The Love in Between Articles

The Love in Between

Drawing further inspiration from his new status as a husband, Matt Maher’s newest album The Love In Between continues the fine tradition of spiritual and powerful songs that began with his first entry into the contemporary Christian music world back in 2003. While noticeably folksier than his previous creations, this record solidifies Maher’s place as an artist that can cross multiple genres with ease, and the CD also serves as a vehicle to express the love he has, both for his wife and his God.
3000 Miles to Sainthood Articles

3000 Miles to Sainthood

If there is one thing that we can all agree on, it's the fact that we're all going to die. Maybe not today or tomorrow, but eventually we all kick the bucket. It's inevitable. Whether you believe in an afterlife or not, there's no escaping death. The good thing about being a Christian is that you live in the hope that through death you will be born into eternal life. Some have stronger hope than others in making it to heaven. But God has given us the option to choose for ourselves.
Your Parish Website = FAIL Articles

Your Parish Website = FAIL

I’m just going to go out there and say it. Fellow web designers and developers, I don’t want to hurt your feelings or demean your efforts, but the truth must be told. There is probably a 95% chance that your church website needs a redesign, a refresh, or an upgrade. Whatever you want to call it, it just doesn’t cut it! I’d say maybe nine out of ten parish websites these days are of sub-par design standards. It’s probably been built using some sort of template or WYSIWYG editor by someone who has little or no professional training. Unfortunately, the result is a bad website that falls short of successfully representing your organization.
A Very Hallow E’en Articles

A Very Hallow E’en

Every year we are bombarded with the "holiday season" which for most people ends up being a budget-buster. Holidays like Halloween and Christmas have lost their true meaning and have become commercialized into billion dollar industries. Most of us don't have a problem with Christmas. We love the gift-giving, jolly spirit, and community aspects of it all. And of course, let's not forget about Jesus and His contribution to the "most wonderful time of the year." When it comes to Halloween, many Evangelicals and Protestants are quick to dismiss it as the diabolical day of death. But let's not lose touch with our Catholic roots.
Stuck in the Mud Articles

Stuck in the Mud

We all know the difference between right and wrong, good and evil. And we live in a world where evil is so prevalent. We know it's there, all around us, yet we become numb to it. People die everyday in third-world countries of preventable diseases and starvation. We catch, convict, and condemn murderers to death. Women are objectified on TV shows and in music videos. These are things that we all know and admit are wrong. On the other hand we know that it is good to help those in need, to make sacrifices, and to treat people with love and respect. But why do you care if I do evil? Who decides what is right and what is wrong?
The Right Music for the Mass Articles

The Right Music for the Mass

The late, great French composer Edgar Varèse defined music as “organized sound,” and it was this same definition that caused people to think very differently about the incredibly diverse art form. Indeed, not many other things in this world have the power to both unify and divide us the way that music can, especially with regards to the Holy Mass. As contemporary Christian music (CCM) becomes more popular both within the Church and with the general public, those who are used to a more traditional setting may be resistant to hearing these songs, especially during Mass.
How Do You Share the Gospel? Articles

How Do You Share the Gospel?

Last week as I was waiting at the train station, I noticed an old pay phone near the corner where I was standing. The phone was covered in graffiti and seemed to have been in disuse for a while, but it was surprisingly still in service.