We remodeled our basement just in time for Opening Day... Cubs win!<< MORE >>

Following our last post honoring Tony, we now give a shout-out to his brother, warrior-priest Fr. John... Christ is risen! Alleluia!<< MORE >>

On March 12th we woke up at 3:00 AM Mountain Time in order to watch the opening Mass for the Conclave. Yes, we were excited to witness only the second Conclave in our lifetime, but we could've just waited to watch the replay on EWTN that evening. Why did we wake up to see it live? ...For the First Reading.<< MORE >>

It was so sad to see Pope Benedict fade off into the sunset, but the tears turned to joy last week and today as Pope Francis was installed as the new Vicar of Christ on earth.  It's hard to describe the adrenaline rush from when the white smoke first surfaced to when our new Holy Father walked out onto that balcony.  This video captures the excitement pretty well.

Think Atchison, not Baltimore.<< MORE >>

The two exciting things that have happened in February<< MORE >>

After only a month of hearing Mama pray The Angelus at noon, John Paul has it down.

Two curious aspects of this week’s readings have to do with two contentious issues in the contemporary scene. These should not detract from the overall themes of love and compassion, mission and acceptance, persecution and tolerance. Add to this mix the issues of abortion and gay marriage and a lively discussion will ensue. << MORE >>

"This is our first task, caring for our children. If we don't get that right, we don't get anything right. That's how as a society we will be judged. Can we honestly say that we are doing enough to keep our children - all of them - safe from harm?" << MORE >>

As we await the coming of 2013 we reflect on the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph and anticipate the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God on the date of the New Year. << MORE >>

The readings for this Fourth and last Sunday of Advent bring us to the edge of the realization that Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the Old Testament, especially of the Davidic Promise and all that it entails. << MORE >>

In the readings from the Gospel of Luke this Sunday we hear John the Baptist telling the ones who sought him out to lead their lives according to the norms that are given to them. To soldiers, tax collectors and others he says simply that they are to carry out their obligations with honor keeping in mind the dignity of others. It surprises us that the ordinary events and burdens in our lives are what will propel us into eternal glory if...<< MORE >>

Going into the second week of Advent we continue to prepare for the coming of Christ, the Messiah. It is a time of hope and anticipation. The message of hope and anticipation is the same message that Saint Luke provides in the Gospel passage this week. It was a time of John the Baptist announcing what Isaiah the Prophet had announced over 600 years before his time, “A voice of one crying out in the desert: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.’” (Lk 3:5) << MORE >>

It's all good Your Excellency, we arrested the person who tried to steal your identity.<< MORE >>

This past week I received a message from an acquaintance in which the following comments concerning major questions people ask about end times: << MORE >>

We are blessed to report this week an apparition of both Bl. Pope John Paul II and St. Maximilian Kolbe! Just in time for our All Hallows Eve, All Saints Day, and All Souls Day celebrations.<< MORE >>

This Sunday reading from the Book of Deuteronomy and from the Gospel of Saint Mark emphasizes the Shema—the exhortation to Listen. But the Listen means more than to hear, it also means within this context to obey. We are commanded to love the Lord Our God with our whole strength, heart and soul. << MORE >>

Many bishops have had some strong words about the election. Some of the best I've heard come from Bishop Thomas Paprocki of Springfield, IL. This "Holy Goalie" (he still plays rec-league hockey) tells it like it is... "a vote for a candidate who promotes actions or behaviors that are intrinsically evil and gravely sinful makes you morally complicit and places the eternal salvation of your own soul in serious jeopardy."<< MORE >>

I was amazed by the most incredible story last weekend. While grading papers, I was listening to some past episodes of my favorite radio show, Catholic Answers Live... It came within the first hour of the September 12th show. The topic was sidewalk counseling outside of abortion centers, and the guest was Dallas pro-life leader Karen Garnett. The show's host, Patrick Coffin, asked her about their theme for next year's pro-life activities, which was "Exodus 2013."<< MORE >>

It has FINALLY cooled off in Denver and we have been enjoying some great fall activities. << MORE >>

This week begins the Year of Faith announced by Pope Benedict XVI at a time when we are in a crisis point within the Catholic Church in America and Europe. The readings for this Sunday provide us with a rich counterpoint to some trends in our secular culture. The first is the trend toward redefining marriage. << MORE >>

Today’s readings provide us with insight into whether our thoughts of others are pure or whether there is an evil motivation behind the thoughts and subsequent action. In the second reading from James, for example, the text reads, “you have fattened your hearts for the day of slaughter.” (Jas 5:5) Does this suggest that in what we have accomplished we have a self-centered or sensual concern or genuine concern for our neighbor? << MORE >>

The readings for this Sunday reflect the daily struggle we face of good and evil. The choices are not always dramatic, but they are similar to those faced by the Chosen People when Moses gave the Law to the people immediately prior to their taking possession of the Land: “See, I have today set before you life and good, death and evil.” (Dt 30:15) << MORE >>

A great homily by Fr. Andrew Kemberling at St. Thomas More in Centennial. I can't stand clapping during Mass, but even I would probably have joined in the ovation.<< MORE >>

For those of you who are curious about these things, here are his current "stats":<< MORE >>