Well now, I was just thinkin’ about our ol’ mayor back in ‘89. He wanted to build a new city hall, and he wasn’t shy about remindin’ everyone who was makin’ it happen. Had his name on the blueprints, for cryin’ out loud! Kept talkin’ about his “legacy.” Ended up bein’ the only one who […]
Is Your Netflix Binge a Spiritual Marathon or a Moral Maraud?
I remember the time my boy brought home a video game that looked like it was straight from the ninth circle of Dante’s Inferno – I kid you not! The cover art had more gore than a butcher’s freezer and the dialogue would’ve made a sailor blush. His mom – bless her heart, she’s a […]
Spotting the Charismatic Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing
Have you ever met a fella who could charm the birds right out of the trees? He’s got that smile, that voice like warm honey, and he can make you feel like you’re the only person in the world. You wanna believe him – heck, your mama taught you to be polite and give folks […]
Grandparents Are the Faith’s Secret Weapon
You ever notice how a good barbecue can fix just about anything? It brings people together, gets ’em talking, laughing. There’s a comfort to it that you don’t find anywhere else. Well, faith ain’t all that different. And I reckon grandparents are the secret sauce in this divine recipe we call Catholicism. Now, before you […]
Formulating Faith: Turn Mess-Ups into Miracles
We’ve all been there, standing in the wreckage of our own making. I’m talking about that moment when your big project at work goes sideways, your wife’s famous banana pudding turns out more like a brick, or you finally try to fix that leaky faucet and end up with a geyser shooting water clean across […]
From Fumbles to Faith: A Dad’s Guide to Rockin’ First Confession & Communion
I want to talk about something that can feel about as confusing to your kid as why their baseball glove has to be kept in a special box. I’m talking about getting them ready for their first confession and communion. You know the drill: the wide eyes, the whispered questions, the little bit of worry […]
Slow Your Roll, Son: A Catholic Guide to Cultivating Patience in the Age of Instant Gratification
Alright, settle down there. Let’s talk about something that’s got more folks on edge than a long-hot summer in June – patience. I was at the hardware store one Saturday, my old stomping grounds before I retired. A young fella, probably all of 30 with a phone glued to his hand like it was his […]
Stop Trying to Save the World with Your Wallet Alone!
Ever been to a church potluck and seen that one guy – let’s call him ‘Generous’ Gary – trying to win sainthood by buying a whole roasted pig for the whole town? He means well, bless his heart. But then you look around and see half the folks didn’t bring a dish, just a side […]
Virtues and Vices: What Middle-earth Teaches Us About Catholic Living
Have you ever looked at your toolbox and felt a little overwhelmed? I mean, really looked at it. All those wrenches of different sizes, the screwdriver set with more heads than a Hydra, the mystery boxes of nails and screws that seem to multiply on their own? Running my hardware store for thirty years, I […]