Perspective
Fasting and Abstinence
There are few practices that seem as distinctively Catholic as fasting and, in particular, abstinence. Fasting may be broadly defined as partially or completely refraining from eating, while abstinence means […]
Columns Archive
Columns
‘Pray for those who persecute you’
Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time Matthew 5:38-48 The first reading is from the Book of Leviticus, one of the five books of the Pentateuch, the Torah, the basic revelation by […]
The Human Condition
On orthodoxy
Orthodoxy is a multivalent term. It can refer in a more restricted or special sense to our brothers and sisters in the Eastern churches, and is often associated with particular […]
Columns
Dave Rubin, the pelvic issues and Larry David
At the end of January, I was interviewed in Los Angeles by Dave Rubin for his popular program, “The Rubin Report”. Dave is a stand-up comedian, political satirist, protégé of […]
Perspective
What is appropriate wedding attire for church?
Every bride wants to look beautiful on her wedding day, and every bridesmaid hopes to wear a dress that is both fashionable and flattering. Beauty, after all, is one of […]
Perspective
Family planning with benefits
How fertility awareness-based methods can enrich marriage Fertility awareness-based methods of family planning, commonly called Natural Family Planning or NFP, are those that teach couples to observe and interpret on […]
Perspective
Research from the Love Lab:
Pay attention to your spouse’s ‘bids’ Dr. John Gottman has been researching relationships for over 40 years. It started in the 1960s, when he and other social scientists were trying […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]