Category: Articles

Why You Should Bring Your Cell Phone to Church Articles

Why You Should Bring Your Cell Phone to Church

On most Sundays one of the first things we hear before Mass begins is the plea to turn off our cell phones. It makes sense as we don't want them to be a distraction to ourselves or to those who are trying to pray. Yet, there is a great opportunity that we are missing by shunning the cell phone in Church—namely, outreach.
Why I Don’t Participate in the Parish Fiesta Articles

Why I Don’t Participate in the Parish Fiesta

Every year many Catholic parishes in southern California, and perhaps elsewhere, put on a parish fiesta or festival to raise funds. In my case, our parish has two per year. These events are huge, requiring a large financial investment and enormous effort from the parish community. I've supported the fiesta in the past, but this year I've decided that I will no longer participate in the parish fiesta.
Why We Need to Learn to Say “No” — Especially at Church Articles

Why We Need to Learn to Say “No” — Especially at Church

There is this stigma, this false sense of what it means to be holy, that at Church if you are asked to do something and you turn it down that you are saying “no” to Jesus. In some sense we can be, and in certain circumstances you might actually be called by God to serve, but every activity or ministry at Church does not require your participation.
Can We Ever Really Escape Evil? Articles

Can We Ever Really Escape Evil?

The problem of evil is one of the most difficult mysteries of life. One can ponder the reason for it, wonder why God who is infinitely good permits it, and even attempt to prevent it. But can we ever really escape evil?
How Lent is Meant to Make You Holy Articles

How Lent is Meant to Make You Holy

The idea of the forty day Lenten season is not something that the Church just made up out of thin air. In fact, forty day periods of time spent in the desert, being tested and more importantly talking with God is something we see over and over again as we explore the lives of the lives of the great figures of the Bible. The greatest prophets, the friends of God, are most often found in the desert or on the mountain seeking and sharing in that which we all long for "like dear who long for streams of running water" (Ps 42:2), intimacy with God.
Sharing Your Blessings: The Responsibility of Grace Articles

Sharing Your Blessings: The Responsibility of Grace

In our culture of consumption the concept of giving anything away for free often seems unnatural. For to give something away means to lose it. If I give you ten dollars, I am ten dollars poorer. If you give me a bite of your sandwich, that means you've lost that much. To give an hour of your time volunteering at a soup kitchen is to lose one hour of your life that you will never get back. And in our self-centered society, this makes complete sense.
Why Unity Not Happiness is Key to Marriage Articles

Why Unity Not Happiness is Key to Marriage

Too many people think being married is about being happy. They aren't entirely wrong. Happiness is, of course, a good thing. But in the end it is an emotion. And emotions come and go. They aren't really under our control. We have them—or better yet they have us. So if striving for happiness is the goal of your marriage, then it will most likely fail. For the key to marriage is not happiness, but rather unity.
Abortion: How to Bring an End to the Silent Holocaust Articles

Abortion: How to Bring an End to the Silent Holocaust

These days everyone supports a cause of some sort or another, from pushing for immigration reform or even trying to the change the laws and force doctors to kill people if they are asked to do so. There are marches down metropolitan streets, enthusiastic pundits on AM radio stations, and obnoxious bumper stickers. And I don't doubt the fact that people have the right to pursue these ends and that there should be open debate about them. However, there is a problem that seems to continue going on right under our noses and most people have no clue just how devastating it has been.
What to Do When God Calls Articles

What to Do When God Calls

When God invites you to do something, the best answer is always yes. But sometimes we don't even know God is calling us. Before Samuel was the great prophet of old, He was a young boy living in the temple—a sort of ancient alter boy. One night he had an interesting experience.
The Call of the Wild Articles

The Call of the Wild

I didn't become the person, the man I am today of my own will. It wasn't even my idea. The thought never crossed my mind. It was a call I received, to leave behind the life I had led up to that point, a path that led to self-destruction. That call was to follow, to walk with God.
Why Walking with God Means Putting in Work Articles

Why Walking with God Means Putting in Work

The Multiplication of the Loaves and the Fishes or the Feeding of the Multitudes is to me one of the most powerful visions of Jesus' earthly ministry. Of course, the Eucharistic symbolism foreshadows His gift to us at the Last Supper, and even more so "our daily bread" as He offers Himself to us on the altar. It speaks to our hearts hungry for God and reveals to us what it means not only to receive Him in the Eucharist, but in following His example giving over all that we are and all that we have so that He might perfect us.
Why Christmas isn’t Over Yet Articles

Why Christmas isn’t Over Yet

Christmas truly is the most wonderful time of the year! And although the Christmas trees are sitting on the curbs and the lights been taken down, it’s not over yet. It’s not just a day, it’s a season. So what if you’re the only house on the block with Christmas lights and a Christmas tree. Our celebration continues!