Columns Archive

Building relationships of trust is at the heart of new diocesan marriage preparation program Default Thumbnail
Perspective

Building relationships of trust is at the heart of new diocesan marriage preparation program

When Mary-Rose Verret finally tracked down a married couple that she hoped would help her to coordinate a marriage preparation program at her Lafayette, La., parish, she was devastated by […]

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Perspective

A Catholic wedding checklist

The informative website, www.foryourmarriage.org, offered by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, presents a plethora of information on Church teachings concerning the sacrament of marriage and all that it […]

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions to the Office of Worship Default Thumbnail
Perspective

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions to the Office of Worship

My fiance is not Catholic. Should we have a Mass? Office of Worship: In order for a Catholic to marry a baptized non-Catholic, permission first must be obtained from the […]

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Perspective

Leaning on God: the power of praying together

Did you know that studies show couples who pray together have stronger marriages than those who simply attend church together? Now, if you are like many engaged or married couples […]

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Perspective

Best practices for happily ever after

There is a world of difference between a wedding homily and a funeral homily. At a wedding, the couple has the whole span of married “for better or worse, for […]

Preparing for Marriage Taught Us What Is Most Beautiful About the Sacrament of Matrimony Default Thumbnail
Perspective

Preparing for Marriage Taught Us What Is Most Beautiful About the Sacrament of Matrimony

The day after my fiancé and I got engaged, I set out to plan our wedding and began a long list of phone calls. One of the most important calls I […]

God gives us the power of choice Default Thumbnail
Columns

God gives us the power of choice

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Matthew 5:17-37 The Book of Sirach, the source of this weekend’s first reading, is part of a collection of biblical writings that in their very […]

The Catholic Doctor: The gift of a good night’s sleep Default Thumbnail
Perspective

The Catholic Doctor: The gift of a good night’s sleep

What is it with kids and teenagers? It’s nothing for them to sleep 12 hours or more if given the opportunity. I can still remember that in college it was […]

Rekindle the Fire is ‘Takin’ it to the Streets’ Default Thumbnail
Perspective

Rekindle the Fire is ‘Takin’ it to the Streets’

When Dean Wendel leaves North Manchester during the early morning hours for South Bend on Feb. 18, he’ll be doing so with 50 friends, in a chartered bus. Notre Dame […]

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Perspective

Keep holy the Lord’s day

How do we observe the Lord’s Day?  Do we keep Sunday holy? In reflecting on these questions, it is good to recall why we observe Sunday as the Day of […]

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Bishop's Column: In Truth and Charity

Bishop Rhoades visits Middle East with CRS

I had the privilege to travel to Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza last week (January 15-22) with Catholic Relief Services. Hosted by the wonderful staff of CRS in the […]

On ‘Spirituality’ Default Thumbnail
The Human Condition

On ‘Spirituality’

“Spirituality” or being “spiritual” means nothing more, but also nothing less, than being animated and guided by the Spirit of the Lord that is received at baptism. This is what […]