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: Where’s Mary?
Month: August 2016
On the Nightstand: August 2016
A friend and I went to lunch recently with a priest friend, who brought along two books from, as he put it with a twinkle in his eyes, “My very small lending library.” He lent my friend a Thomas Merton work, as they’re both huge fans. Me, I got John O’Donohue’s Conamara Blues. I’m not… Continue reading On the Nightstand: August 2016
Wednesday’s Woman: Blessed Maria Barbara of the Holy Trinity
Note: For the next several weeks, I’m featuring women with a connection to the Americas. The Basics: Born June 27, 1818, in Austria; died March 17, 1873, in Brazil; beatified November 6, 2010; feast day, March 17; woman religious, missionary. The Story: The first thirty years of the woman born Barbara Maix were interesting, but perhaps not… Continue reading Wednesday’s Woman: Blessed Maria Barbara of the Holy Trinity
Loving the Strays
Note: On Tuesdays and some Sundays, you can find me at Your Daily Tripod, owned by my friend TonyD. A longer version of the post below appears there. When I returned to the Catholic Church after thirty-three years, I loved today’s Gospel reading from Matthew 18: “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of… Continue reading Loving the Strays