21stCenturyCatholic 
In the quiet hours of the night, when the world slows down and our thoughts become more reflective, many of us find a unique comfort in prayer. Especially for those in a marital bond, these moments can be a time to focus on our significant other, lifting them up in prayer and seeking divine guidance … Read more
Hello, dear readers! As the calendar turns to another year, it’s a beautiful time to pause and ponder. We often look ahead with aspirations and reflections, and what better way to channel these thoughts than through prayer? Regardless of where you are in your spiritual journey, a heartfelt prayer for the new year can set … Read more
The New Evangelization encourages us to forego a one-size-fits-all approach to proclaiming the Good News of salvation from sin and death by the suffering, death and Resurrection of Jesus. We are encouraged to consider three separate but related audiences: the unchurched, the alienated (i.e. Catholics who aren’t practicing for one reason or another) and the … Read more
In the tapestry of Catholic devotion, each day is woven with threads of spiritual significance. Wednesdays, bathed in celestial hues, beckon believers to cradle the Holy Rosary for Wednesday in their hands. As we embark on this sacred journey, let us unravel the relevance, prayers, and profound importance of the rosary on this midweek day. … Read more
Isn’t the world ready for a little more joy? It has been a year since Pope Francis shared his vision for Christian discipleship in The Joy of the Gospel. Wouldn’t it be great if this text continued to set the course for conversations about evangelization and catechesis throughout the year? A unique new website entitled “A … Read more
As the calendar turns its page, ushering in a fresh chapter of time, there’s a sacred pause for reflection and anticipation. In the tapestry of faith, Catholics find solace and purpose in the practice of offering prayers for the beginning of each month. This article embarks on a spiritual journey, exploring the relevance and significance … Read more
The Church exists to evangelize. I remember when, in 1975, Paul VI, in OnEvangelization in the Modern World, taught that “the task of evangelizing all people constitutes the essential mission of the Church” (par. 14), I was taken by surprise. I had never thought of myself as an evangelizer. I had thought of myself as a … Read more
Archangel Gabriel is the revealer of destiny. Making these prayers to Archangel Gabriel can help reveal your destiny, give you direction in life, and offer healing. He is the one who revealed to Virgin Mary that she is carrying the son of God and also appeared to Daniel to explain his visions. In times of … Read more
We’ve all seen it. “Susie, will you read the first paragraph on page 45?” Next, the catechist asks questions. One or two students respond. The rest look bored. It’s the standard classroom-model lesson plan provided by most textbook publishers and it continues to be inadequate in communicating the living reality of faith. Two things are … Read more
Amidst the enchanting glow of twinkling lights and the aromatic allure of pine, Christmas beckons families to unite in a harmonious blend of joy and reflection. As we navigate this festive season, poignant prayers become the cornerstone of our celebrations. This article explores the prayers “A Radiant Christmas Blessing” and “Extending Blessings Beyond,” unveiling their … Read more
“Preach the Gospel at all times, if necessary use words.” Often attributed to St. Francis of Assisi, these words can be used to emphasize the importance of the silent witness, the implicit or wordless sharing of faith that Catholics can give to others by living Jesus’ love in everyday life. Church teaching affirms this aspect … Read more
Nothing characterizes the coming of the Kingdom of God more than healing. Jesus’ ministry builds upon a foundation of bringing healing to the sick, and, through exorcisms, peace to those afflicted in mind. Even John’s Gospel, which gives an entirely different approach to the story of Jesus, has the cure of the man-born-blind as one … Read more
This text was originally published on our blog on 09/08/2014. As a parish catechetical leader I am responsible for the formation of catechists. I used to focus primarily on methodology and classroom management because the catechists seemed to have the most questions in these areas. Now, however, I have a different perspective. One of the … Read more
The extended family walks into church, with the beautiful baby, all dressed in christening finery. During Mass, the baby is welcomed, anointed, baptized and celebrated with applause – and the family basks in the glow of belonging to this faith community. However, in too many instances, the newly baptized and their families seem to … Read more
One challenge faced by many evangelization teams is how do they invite those who are away from the faith to a program or process designed to reunite them with their Catholic faith? How do we reach those who are not in the pews? How do we inspire the parish community to personally invite those we … Read more
This article was originally published on our blog on 08/26/2014. One of my special treats this summer was being able to read “Jesus of Nazareth” by Gerhard Lohfink. The subtitle ambitiously reads: “What He Wanted; Who He was.” Lohfink confirms a direction which, from the beginning, has haunted our Catholic thinking about evangelization. “On Evangelization … Read more
Have you ever tried home visitations as a way of reaching out to others? In this text originally published in August, 2014, Lorraine DeLuca shares her insights in this experience. In our diocese we have begun training Evangelization Teams in parishes using a combination of The Evangelizing Laity from the USCCB webinar series and The Evangelization Jump Start … Read more
In the tapestry of Catholic saints, there are those whose lives shine as beacons of hope and intercession, offering solace to those facing seemingly insurmountable challenges. Among them stands St. Rita, a patron saint known for her unwavering faith and miraculous interventions. This article delves into the profound relevance of the “Novena to St. Rita … Read more
The text below was originally published on our blog on 08/20/2014. Encounter. Where and how do we encounter God? Where and how do we offer that opportunity to others? One parish leader began by asking for the email addresses of all the parents who registered their children for faith formation/religious education sessions. She explained that … Read more
In the hustle and bustle of our modern lives, finding solace in the quiet of the night can be a challenging endeavor. The world never seems to stop, and our minds often refuse to rest. This is where the Psalms, with their timeless wisdom and soothing verses, come to our rescue. In this article, we … Read more
This book review was originally published in our blog on August, 2014. You can acquire this excellent book on Amazon using the link below. Purchases help us keep the website running. Patrick Madrid’s book, Why Be Catholic is a heartfelt examination of why Madrid chooses to be Catholic, and why he believes there is no other faith … Read more
In the tapestry of life’s trials and triumphs, there are moments when we all need a helping hand, a source of strength beyond ourselves. In these times of need, when words alone may not suffice, the prayer to Jesus for help becomes a lifeline, a connection to the divine that transcends earthly struggles. This article … Read more
Rain, a life-giving blessing from above, has been a symbol of abundance, growth, and renewal throughout human history. In times of drought and aridity, communities have turned to prayer as a means of beseeching divine intervention, seeking relief from the parched earth. For Catholics, prayer is not just a spiritual practice; it’s a way to … Read more
Father Lacombe’s Patron Saint “Father, this place is charming; I choose it for the founding of a new mission which you will call Saint Albert, in honour of your patron saint.” Bishop Alexandre Taché 1 Catholic Online lists no less than ten saints named Albert. Who, then, was the patron saint to whom Bishop Taché referred? St. Albert the … Read more
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