Story by Sister Janet Schaeffler Years ago I asked a friend why he thought we didn’t celebrate the Ascension more enthusiastically. His reply was because it didn’t fall on a Sunday. (Now, years later, some dioceses celebrate the Ascension on Sunday.) It sounded funny at the time, but recently, reflecting on the meaning of the [...]
Story by Pete Burak For spring break my senior year of high school, I went to Mexico. Some of you might immediately envision wild beach parties and scenarios unfit for the pages of FAITH magazine. No, I went to the garbage dumps outside Mexico City and a poor, inner-city Catholic parish – which would [...]
Story by By Michelle DiFranco I love candles. They symbolize life, love and celebration. And I love burning them in my home, but I’ve had to resort to enjoying them only when the boys are out of the house. Between my husband being afraid of the house burning down, and my son playing with [...]
Story by Bishop Boyea Any parent would be willing to die for his or her child. But who would be willing to die for someone on death row, if we had a death row here in Michigan? Not many, I would guess. Christ has died. This is the incredible mystery of Holy Week. Jesus died for us [...]
By Veronica Szczygiel I love Holy Week. I always look forward to these days steeped in tradition, which quickly unfold the events leading up to the greatest sacrifice and miracle on earth – Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. His victory over death and gift of eternal life show us how truly beloved we are to him. [...]
Story by Bishop Ronald A. Hicks During this Easter season, we boldly proclaim that indeed, Christ is risen! We celebrate that Jesus is truly alive and accompanies us. It is His passion, death and resurrection that welcome us into a new and eternal life. What is your favorite Scripture traditionally proclaimed during the Easter Season? [...]
Story by Joe Pisani Jesus wept. But did Jesus smile? We know Jesus wept because the Bible tells us so, but there are no accounts of Jesus smiling. However, I’m convinced he smiled. Someone whose heart is filled with infinite love has to smile because he can’t keep all that love inside. Let me share [...]
By Elizabeth Solsburg, with Doug Culp Before he became pope, Pope Benedict was well-known as the prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, an office that was formerly called the Inquisition. He also is, according to those who knew him best, a humble and gentle man, an accomplished pianist who loves Mozart [...]
Words before Pope Benedict XVI’s final apostolic blessing as Pope at Castel Gandolfo on February 28, 2013. “At this time, I have within myself a great trust [in God], because I know – all of us know – that the Gospel’s word of truth is the strength of the Church: it is her life. The [...]
At his passing from this world we pray for our former Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, commending him to the Lord’s mercy. He was a man of deep faith who exemplified both gentleness and strength, humility and courage—as demonstrated not only in his decision to resign the papacy, but in all the many aspects of [...]