Returning Catholics FAQs: About Sacramentals

On Mondays, I answer questions frequently asked by those considering a return to the Catholic Church. How do I know this stuff? I was away for more than 30 years myself, and am the co-author of  When They Come Home: Ways to Welcome Returning Catholics, a book for pastors and parish leaders interested in this… Continue reading Returning Catholics FAQs: About Sacramentals

Wednesday’s Woman: St. Melania the Elder

The Basics: Born 341 or 342 in Spain; died circa 439 in what is now Israel; canonized pre-congregation; feast day, June 8. Mother, widow, desert mother. The Story: Melania’s story is complicated. She lost her husband and two sons when she was in her early twenties and living in Rome and its environs. It was after these… Continue reading Wednesday’s Woman: St. Melania the Elder

Promises, Promises

Note: On Tuesdays, you can find me at Your Daily Tripod, owned by my friend TonyD. A longer version of the post below appears there.  Promises, promises. St. Paul made promises, promises to visit people and churches. But he was a busy man. Sometimes his casual promises couldn’t be fulfilled. Maybe he even knew as he… Continue reading Promises, Promises

Returning Catholic FAQs: About the Rosary

On Mondays, I answer questions frequently asked by those considering a return to the Catholic Church. How do I know this stuff? I was away for more than 30 years myself, and am the co-author of  When They Come Home: Ways to Welcome Returning Catholics, a book for pastors and parish leaders interested in this… Continue reading Returning Catholic FAQs: About the Rosary