One of the things moving from Los Angeles to Austria has taught me is the preciousness of Spring. That may sound a bit odd, but the truth is that in Southern California the lack of a snowy winter and the … Continue reading
Category: Articles
A Celtic Survival Guide
March is a very Celtic month. St. David, patron of the Welsh opens the month on the first. Four days later comes St. Piran, Cornwall’s patron. On the 17th — as all the world knows — is St. Patrick, on … Continue reading
Having the Holy Ghost as Our Teacher and Guide
The extraordinary spiritual writer, Father Jacques Philippe, provides insights and advice for the spiritual life that are both beautiful and practical. His writings have inspired me and changed my perspective on what a flourishing interior life looks like. While Interior … Continue reading
Thoughts on Washington’s Birthday
Well, Washington’s birthday has come to us again. Despite being called “Presidents’ Day” in recent years and celebrated on the nearest Monday, February 22 is the day that the first president of the United States was born — and, not … Continue reading
A Few Sudoku Life Lessons
The rules for Sudoku are deceptively simple. There is a grid with certain numbers already given to you. You must fill in the remaining boxes with the numbers 1-9 without using any digit twice in the same row, column, or … Continue reading
Thoughts on Lincoln’s Birthday
Well, Lincoln’s birthday has come around again. In recent years it has been to a great extent effaced, being amalgamated with Washington’s as Presidents’ Day. But in my youth it was very much a grand occasion. This had been the … Continue reading
When Fall the Valiant
And David made this kind of lamentation over Saul, and over Jonathan his son. … And he said: Consider, O Israel, for them that are dead, wounded on thy high places. The illustrious of Israel are slain upon thy mountains: … Continue reading
Israeli Genocide in Gaza: Update and Analysis of the Numbers
On January 22nd, media organizations across the globe reported the milestone of 25,000 Palestinian deaths at the hands of the IDF, (Israeli Defense Forces), since Hamas militants attacked Israel on October 7th. Sources for Palestian Casualty Figures Palestinian casualty figures … Continue reading
Dealing with Betrayal
Honesty is such a lonely word Everyone is so untrue Honesty is hardly ever heard And mostly what I need from you —Billy Joel IF there is a single word that sums up the world in which we live, it … Continue reading
The Gates of Hell Shall Not Prevail, Part II
We know with certitude that the gates of hell will not prevail against the Church. We know that Our Lord Jesus Christ always has and always will defeat evil. What we do not know with such assurance is whether or … Continue reading
Surviving the Wasteland
In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan, Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone; Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow, In the bleak midwinter, long ago. —Christina Rossetti The above words and Gustav Holst’s … Continue reading
The Gates of Hell Shall Not Prevail, Part I
“I say unto to thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build My Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” I used to think that Our Blessed Lord was encouraging us in … Continue reading
The Death of the Old Year
Full knee-deep lies the winter snow, And the winter winds are wearily sighing: Toll ye the church bell sad and slow, And tread softly and speak low, For the old year lies a-dying. Old year you must not die; You … Continue reading
The Most Pure Heart of Saint Joseph
A chaste heart recognizes a chaste heart. An unclean heart finds itself drawn to those who are unclean. Persons of either category take comfort in keeping like company. Because St. Joseph’s purity of body, mind, heart, and soul was surpassed … Continue reading
The Politics of Christmas
Once again, December is upon us, and so once again, the Christmas Wars. Once upon a time, in Fr. Feeney’s day, these were described by him thusly: “I do not know what Christmas in the United States is going to … Continue reading