The First Week of Advent always arrives with a quiet light of divine invitation, hope, and trust. This year, that light meets us through the shadow of a great loss. On Saturday at 6:17 p.m., the final hour of the last day of the liturgical year, our brother and friend, Paul…
It is with profound sorrow that I share the heartbreaking news of the passing of our president at Gratia Vobis Ministries, Paul Verderber. Paul died yesterday, Nov. 29, at 6:17 p.m., surrounded by his beloved wife, Mary Ann, their two daughters, Alice and Elisa, their husbands, and two grandchildren. He…
Bishop Barron Sunday homilies are one of my favorite podcasts. In one of his recent homilies, he discussed the Church’s emphasis on the end times as we approach the end of our liturgical year. He discussed the word, “apocalyptic,” in describing the readings at the end of the church year.…
The Last Judgment, 1534-41, Michelangelo[1] The Mass readings of this last week of the liturgical year might be frightening: see for instance the passages from the Book of Daniel or the words of our Lord himself. He has assured us, however, that we should not be afraid. The context of these…
During the end of Liturgical Year and beginning of Advent the readings focus on the end times. This is because the Church desires us to reflect both on the humble first coming of Christ as a baby as well as His glorious second coming as King and Judge. Death as…
Many people experience their own “world endings”: the death of a loved one, the collapse of a relationship, the shock of illness, the unraveling of plans or dreams. Sometimes it is not the world around us that breaks, but the world within. Hence, we have lost hope of a new…
In this week’s Gospel reading, Christ reminds the apostles (and us) that just as the physical Temple could be toppled, following Him on the way of the cross can shake our spiritual foundations. Coming to the defense of our Lord may result in hatred, betrayal, persecution and even death. The…
We all agree that life is a journey, but while some see it as a journey towards death, some others see death as a transition to another life. In both currents of thought, death is inevitable, whether as a definitive end or as a transition. This is the lot of…
Years ago at a Catholic school started in Manila, Philippines, the head of campus ministry began an outreach program for the students to participate in. This was unique since the school itself was an outreach to provide quality education to the underprivileged. Many students questioned the campus minister, “What do…
Every year, the Church celebrates the feast of Christ the King to acclaim the Lord the King. He is King, not only of the world but the whole cosmos, seen and unseen, and will reign for ever. He is King even before the dawn of creation, for all times and…