Ken Hallenius

Columnist

Speaking Only to God or About God Default Thumbnail
Perspective

Speaking Only to God or About God

In my home parish of St. Joseph in South Bend, we are blessed with the presence of the priests and brothers of the Congregation of Holy Cross, a religious order […]

The Joyful Heart of St. Philip Default Thumbnail
Perspective

The Joyful Heart of St. Philip

This past summer, I had the joy of participating in a conference for Church communications professionals from around the world, hosted by the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in […]

Shepherds and Sheep Default Thumbnail
Perspective

Shepherds and Sheep

We’ve reached the point in the Easter season when the liturgy presents Jesus Christ as the Good Shepherd, tending his flock with care. When I think about this, I usually […]

Notre Dame Evangelium Vitae Medal presented to Robert P. George Default Thumbnail
Bishop

Notre Dame Evangelium Vitae Medal presented to Robert P. George

The de Nicola Center for Ethics and Culture presented the 2023 Notre Dame Evangelium Vitae Medal — the nation’s most important award for heroes of the pro-life movement — to […]

Reviewing the Holiest — and Most Joyful — Week Default Thumbnail
Perspective

Reviewing the Holiest — and Most Joyful — Week

I don’t know how the six weeks of Lent went for you, but I was really glad when we reached Holy Week. I love the liturgies and traditions that we […]

The Joyful Season of Lent Default Thumbnail
Perspective

The Joyful Season of Lent

Welcome to the joyful season of Lent! Now, I suspect that you have never thought of Lent as a time of joy, and no wonder. It seems more like a […]

Patrons and Friends Default Thumbnail
Perspective

Patrons and Friends

There’s a standard plot device in romantic comedies called a “meet cute,” wherein two people who will eventually become a couple first meet, usually under unusual, humorous, or otherwise cute […]

A New Year’s Habit Default Thumbnail
Perspective

A New Year’s Habit

As one does at this time of year, I opened a new 2023 calendar and started flipping through the months to mark a few upcoming events. In the process, I […]

Happy New Year! Default Thumbnail
Perspective

Happy New Year!

I know what you may be thinking: they’re running this column a month too early. But it’s true: we’ve actually already begun the new year, liturgically speaking. The Church’s year […]

Joyful Saints Default Thumbnail
Perspective

Joyful Saints

To an extrovert like myself, being part of a joyful crowd is a foretaste of heaven. A crowd of happy people generates even more laughter and joy, much like a […]

How to Navigate the Use of Humor in the Church Default Thumbnail
Perspective

How to Navigate the Use of Humor in the Church

Earlier this summer, I was invited to present at the Catholic Media Conference, speaking to journalists and editors about “using humor and joy in writing and publications.” As I told […]