Page 6 - Stuart Wolfe News Today

I definitely got it backwards, upside-down, and inside-out this year. Instead of committing to attending daily Mass for Lent, I started going the day after Easter. If truth be told, I probably could have made it a habit before. In fact, I know I could have. But probably not on Thursdays. Its funny how easily Thursday meetings at 8 a.m. became my excuse for not going to Mass on the other four weekdays. Actually, it isnt funny at all. The word "sloth" comes to mind. But thats how at least some of...

Throughout the history of the Church, the saints have spoken some very valuable pearls of wisdom. But theres one quotable quote I wish wasnt misquoted (and misattributed) so often. Ill bet that within the past year, youve heard it, too. It usually goes something like this: "Preach the Gospel at all times, and if necessary, use words." This exhortation is invariably credited to the illustrious St. Francis of Assisi, although there is no evidence he ever said or wrote anything even remotely like ...

From noon on, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon" (Mt 27:45). "When it was noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon" (Mk 15:33). "It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, while the suns light failed" (Lk 23:44). All three synoptic Gospel writers mention it in their accounts of Jesus crucifixion. And while I suppose it could be that Matthew, Mark, and Luke took a bit of dramatic license or u...

There are all kinds of Catholics: cradle Catholics, Catholic converts, cultural Catholics, ex-Catholics, devout Catholics, uncatechized Catholics, cafeteria Catholics, Catholics in good standing, Novus Ordo, Tridentine, and C and E (Christmas and Easter) Catholics -- you get the picture. But Id venture to guess that there are people in every one of those categories who are struggling -- or have struggled -- with some aspect of Catholic dogma, doctrine, or practice. Why? Because we each have our...

As we delicately transfer power from one presidential administration to another, a few things about the state of our nation become clear. The rancor and derision weve seen over the past year isnt the product of the coronavirus, and it didnt engulf our country overnight. While the unique challenges brought to us by the global pandemic may have intensified the tides, divisive and even violent currents have been eroding the shores of our civil society for decades. People on all sides of every issu...

I love midnight Mass. When the kids were young, we used to lay out our Christmas clothes and go to bed around 9 p.m., then set an alarm for 11 p.m. It wasnt always easy to rub the drowsiness from little eyes -- or from our own -- but eventually, excitement would take over. Wed pile into the full-sized van and drive to midnight Mass, determined not to miss a minute of the day it seemed the whole world had been waiting for. Now, there are no little ones at home, and Santas flying reindeer dont se...

Im a real fan girl when it comes to Church holy years. I loved Pope John Paul IIs three trinitarian years leading up to the new millennium, Pope Benedict XVIs Year of Faith, and Pope Francis Year of Mercy. Years like these provide an opportunity to focus our attention on one aspect of our faith in a way that generally doesnt just happen. Its almost like being on a year-long retreat with a billion other believers. Usually, a holy year is announced well in advance and with a good deal of fanfare ...