(Plain Text Version) Humor in the Gospels? A good joke starts with a situation. The situation becomes more and more complicated. The joke ends with the punch line, where things have become hopeless. The Parable of the Prodigal Son In the Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32), Jesus taught His listeners that the vicesContinue reading “The Lighter Side of the Prodigal Son”
Category Archives: Finding Happiness In a Troubled World
Check Out the Catholic Cartoonist
(Plain Text Version) Distance and physical infirmity didn’t keep the Holy Father from visiting Indonesia and several other island nations. The above images are from East Timor, a nation with an overwhelmingly Catholic population. About 600,0000 people participated in the papal Mass. Have you heard of the Catholic Cartoonist? I have always loved cartoons. ManyContinue reading “Check Out the Catholic Cartoonist”
Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGi-hx2pndwhiN27kK3eCxaUfs8V2q–m (Plain Text Version) My parents used to watch “Bishop Sheen” on our small black-and-white TV. I was too young to understand what he was saying, but I was amazed that he smiled while he preached! A Long and Fruitful Apostolate Archbishop Fulton John Sheen was born 1895, became a priest in 1919, a bishopContinue reading “Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen”
Just Methods of Warfare
(Plain Text Version) Fighting a Just War by Just methods By its nature, wars involve injustice. If everyone did what was right, we wouldn’t have any wars. In many cases, one party wants to avoid war, but needs to defend itself from serious harm. Through the “Just War” principles, the Church gives us guidance forContinue reading “Just Methods of Warfare”
The Rosary: Changing Ourselves and Changing the World
(Plain Text Version) Praying the Rosary The Rosary consists of 20 groups of prayers, each recalling a major event in the life of Jesus and His Blessed Mother. We call these events “mysteries.” We should think about these mysteries while we say the prayers of the Rosary. To the best of our ability, we shouldContinue reading “The Rosary: Changing Ourselves and Changing the World”
The “Deathbed Confession”
(Plain Text Version) There is a persistent myth that one can ignore God’s commands and repent later in life. This way, one can enjoy sin and avoid punishment in hell. This is a tragic mistake. If You are Alive, You Can Repent It is certainly true that many people have made a last-minute conversion. ForContinue reading “The “Deathbed Confession””
Confession and Reconciliation, Part 3
Click here for the Novena for Ukraine: https://www.kofc.org/en/what-we-do/charity/ukraine.html?colorblock-tabs=prayer#colorblock-tabs (Plain Text Version) When we receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation regularly, we will receive God’s help to root sin out of our lives. We will draw closer to God and have better relationships with our neighbors. The Seal of Confession The priest may not reveal your sinsContinue reading “Confession and Reconciliation, Part 3”
Confession and Reconciliation, Part 2
(Plain Text Version) To receive forgiveness in confession, we must disclose every serious sin we can remember. An honest confession is a good confession. Making a Good Confession It is good to begin by admitting our sinfulness with words like, “Bless me, father, for I have sinned.” The priest may respond with a greeting. WeContinue reading “Confession and Reconciliation, Part 2”
Confession and Reconciliation
(Plain Text Version) When we are estranged from God by serious sin, we are forgiven and restored through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. For less serious sins, the same sacrament brings forgiveness and strength to live a holy life. The Power to Forgive Sins During His public ministry, Jesus was opposed for forgiving sins. His enemiesContinue reading “Confession and Reconciliation”
Lent, Part 3
(Plain Text Version) (This article was originally published in March, 2021.) The three common practices for Lent, prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, are all expressions of humility. When we are humble, we know our proper place in the world. We are still aware that there are good things about us, but we give up the ideaContinue reading “Lent, Part 3”
St. John Bosco News and Notes 