Holy Spirit

  • Prodigal Sons and Daughters

    Few Catholics partake in the Sacrament of Reconciliation despite it being something that we must do at least once a year (CCC 1457-1458).  A recent survey suggests that 73% of those who have not attended in the past year believe that confession is not necessary to receive forgiveness from God.  But the Catechism tells us…

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  • Our Purpose is God’s Will

    Recently I started reading the autobiography of St. Thérèse of Lisieux and found great wisdom from the very first chapter.  She writes that for a long time she wondered why God did not give the same graces to everyone.  For example, some great sinners like St. Paul were given extraordinary graces, while others have never…

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  • The Kingdom of God

    The Kingdom of God

    Years ago, when I was teaching a tenth grade CCD class one of our students asked our pastor to describe the meaning of the Kingdom of God.  To be honest, I don’t remember what he said, but it is one of the truths of our faith that many of us have difficulty explaining.  When Jesus…

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  • Almsgiving Time and Talents

    Almsgiving Time and Talents

    As we begin this Lenten season, in addition to giving up something, we should also consider doing something that honors this Holy season.  The St. Paul Center argues that although almsgiving is the most neglected pillar of Lent, it is better than prayer and fasting, because it is prayer and involves fasting.  Almsgiving is prayer…

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  • We are Baptized with Water and Spirit

    From John 3:1-21 — Nicodemus. I’m sure that most of us reading this post know the Gospel verse John 3:16 very well.  However, a prayerful reading of the entire Nicodemus section reveals many of our foundational beliefs and truths.  It includes one that is also a core truth of our Christian brothers and sisters.  There…

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