We are at the midpoint of Advent the Sunday known as Gaudete the Sunday for rejoicing It was so designated at a time when Advent was considered a penitential preparation for Christmas Since penance is no longer the emphasis the Sunday seems to have lost some of its initial purpose But the rejo

In some parts of the country it seems there are only two seasons winter and road construction The excitement of a trip is often tempered by detours and single-lane traffic Major sports events political conventions or an upcoming visit by dignitaries also prompt the repair of our roads though

rsquo Hail full of grace The Lord is with you rdquo Mary was puzzled at such a greeting She was certainly familiar with God rsquo s mysterious presence in the Holy of Holies which made the temple in Jerusalem so sacred But this greeting was addressed to her The Lord was with her And she wa

If these are the signs of our times, how can we say that our redemption is at hand?

The liturgical year is a kind of journey through the mysteries of salvation.

Both the first and the third readings for today begin with the words ldquo In those days rdquo Of which days are the writers speaking And why are they so filled with terror and destruction nbsp These accounts reflect ancient Israelite understanding of the endtime not to be confused with the

Some might wonder why we celebrate the dedication of a basilica that most of us will never visit Is it simply because it is the ldquo pope rsquo s church rdquo Or as the ldquo mother church rdquo of all churches should this basilica and this commemoration remind us that we are all children o

I want to be in that number when the saints go marching in rdquo Who has not heard that rousing hymn and wanted to be part of that glorious parade But the fee seems so high One has to go through a time of great distress to wash one rsquo s robes in the blood of the lamb In other words to be

Where do we go when we die This is not a frivolous question It has puzzled people of all cultures from the beginning of time and it continues to puzzle many today This question in no way suggests a lack of faith Rather it underscores some of the mystery surrounding death nbsp In the past th

Several years ago Bishop Kenneth Untener of Saginaw Mich reminded a seminary graduating class that building ramps will not give back to the disabled the use of their legs In other words ministry does not always turn circumstances around Sometimes the most it can do is hold back the tide of mis