Perspective
Contradictory suicide messaging
In July 2014, police found the body of 18-year-old Conrad Roy inside his truck in Fairhaven, Massachusetts, having died from carbon monoxide poisoning. As the case unfolded, it became apparent […]
Columns Archive
The Sunday Gospel
God asks that we give ourselves to Him rather than to money
Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time Luke 16:1-13 The first reading for this weekend is from the Book of Amos. This prophet, regarded as one of the Minor Prophets, was from […]
Perspective
Call it a crisis
My next few columns will cover the outcomes of the Vatican’s second dialogue on “The Energy Transition and Care of Our Common Home.” In this essay, I will first pause […]
Perspective
The emigrant’s brave farewell
We talk a great deal in this country about immigration, too often in language that is hostile or fearful. What we don’t talk about is emigration, the act of leaving […]
Perspective
Being a fearless son
Through our own sacramental life, beginning with baptism and finding its perfection in the Eucharist, the Father speaks the very same words over us. In baptism, we become adopted sons […]
The Sunday Gospel
God shows abundant mercy to His people
Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time Luke 15:1-32 This weekend’s first reading is from the Book of Exodus. This book roughly chronicles the passage of the Hebrew people from Egypt, where […]
Perspective
Searching for silver linings: grace after the storm
Business was good. So good, in fact, that the family company had become one of the largest breweries in New England, producing 300,000 barrels a year and supporting two generations […]
Perspective
Still the silent killer
I recently was asked to be a guest on the “Doctor, Doctor” show that airs on Redeemer Radio at 1 p.m. Fridays and again at 11 a.m. Saturdays. The topic […]
Perspective
And you are Christ’s
Kiara: “I’m not just a princess, you know. That’s only half of who I am!” Pumbaa: “Oh. Uh, who’s the other half?” Kiara: “Oh, well, I …” While a new […]
The Sunday Gospel
Following the Lord demands focus and sacrifice
Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time Luke 14:25-33 The Book of Wisdom provides this weekend’s liturgy with its first Scriptural reading. According to scholars, this book was written in Alexandria, Egypt, […]
Perspective
Parish boundaries still matter
In my 30 years of priesthood I have come to see the genius in the fact that every Catholic diocese is divided into parishes with definitive geographical boundaries; the strongest […]
Perspective
Holy days of obligation
We have begun the four-and-a-half-month span — between the solemnities of the Assumption (Aug. 15) and Mary, Mother of God (Jan. 1) — into which all our holy days of […]