Story by Michelle DiFranco This fall, my husband and I hosted our first-ever Oktoberfest gathering, which included every German sausage and beer known to men in lederhosen. With online ordering and a couple of trips to a specialty German butcher, the preparation was rather quick and easy. But we still needed a German dessert for [...]

Story by Sister Ann Shield Somewhere between 1942 and 1945, my uncles made several visits home from the war front in France and Germany. Those times indelibly imprinted on my young memory; five long years of watching and waiting and hoping and praying – that our brothers and uncles, sons and friends would return safely. [...]

When the blessing of the Advent Wreath is celebrated in the home, it is appropriate that it be blessed by a parent or another member of the family. All make the sign of the cross as the leader says: Our help is in the name of the Lord. Response (R/.) Who made heaven and earth. [...]

By Doug Culp The sacred Scriptures teach us a great deal about the way God operates in the world. Chief among these seems to be surprise. Scripture teaches us to expect the unexpected when it comes to experiencing God. Norms and predictability are simply not applicable as God repeatedly shatters the limits of the narrow [...]

By Michelle DiFranco Dresden, Germany, is, without a doubt, one of the most festive places to be during the Christmas season. That is because it’s home to Striezelmarkt, one of the first Christmas markets, dating back to the early 1400s. Since then, hundreds of large and small markets have popped up to cover a “Christmas [...]

Story by Joe Pisani I say a lot of different prayers, from the rosary to the Chaplet of Divine Mercy and the Chaplet of the Blessed Sacrament, from devotions to my favorite saints, including St. Joseph, St. Josephine Bakhita, St. Jose Sanchez del Rio, St. Margaret of Castello, and of course Our Lady of Sorrows, [...]

Story by Father Bill Ashbaugh Many years ago, I visited a man in the hospital. He was going through a very difficult time with grief. His wife had recently died of cancer. He was very lonely and especially troubled. He wondered if his wife was all right. They had lived good lives, but they were [...]

By Sue Parker Feast Day: Nov. 22 Believed to have been martyred around 230, St. Cecelia, patroness of music and musicians, continues to be honored for her unfailing devotion to God, and for her courage and generosity. According to stories from the fifth century, Cecilia was a Roman citizen from a wealthy family who secretly [...]

By Sister Ann Shields November gives us at least two wonderful opportunities to grow in faith and to remember in prayer our departed sisters and brothers. The first day of November is always celebrated as the Feast of All Saints. The second day of November is devoted to prayer for all those who have gone [...]

By Michelle DiFranco In Ireland and the UK, since the Middle Ages, tradition and folklore have surrounded the Feast of St. Michael the archangel, or Michaelmas. A well-known legend suggests that when Lucifer was banished from Heaven, he fell onto a blackberry bush. Upon falling into the thorny brambles, he scorched them with his fiery [...]