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We are a long way from a culture which both supports life and recognizes our responsibilities toward our Creator and toward one another, but the decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, in placing serious moral issues back at a local level, is a giant leap in the right direction.  

As I am writing this the sun is shining, students are making their way to school on this bright morning, the trees are near to having full leaves, and some birds have started a nest in a tree in the backyard. Things are pretty darned pleasant and I’m reminded that spring is the recurring sign of hope.

Begin your search for “happiness” by embracing the bounty we have already been provided by the giver of all good gifts.

Read the Gospels and come to know Jesus. Then authentically imitate, follow and learn from him. That will be one of the early steps in the adventure of a more meaningful life. 

Fear is a great obstacle to the adventure of living a meaningful life. We are afraid doing something different will be hard. We are afraid of what others will think. We are afraid to make changes ourselves and afraid of telling others to change. We are afraid to miss out.

This is our third reflection for Lent on what I’ve been calling a meaningful life. I said that the path of a meaningful life is one which rejects money, power, pleasure, and fame as the means of happiness.

In this week's Gospel, Jesus is tempted by Satan. To paraphrase, he says to Jesus, “You must be hungry. Stop fasting and turn stones into bread.” Satan shows Jesus all the kingdoms of the world and says, “You can have all this.”

Amid the horrible events in Ukraine, we invite you to join us in collecting essential items to help a growing humanitarian need.

This is the first in a series of Lenten Reflections I want to share with you. Christian writers classically considered four things people seek to make them happy.

Hope does not disappoint. (Romans 5:5). This is only part of a verse in Paul’s letter to the Romans. It continues to say, “because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.”

I have spent a good deal of time by the seashore and been watching the pelicans. They come down gliding over the waves near the shore like fixed-wing airplanes in formation and then suddenly dive down in the shallow water hunting the little fish splashing around near the surface.

The Feast of Christ the King is celebrated this year on November 21. The Christ the King celebration was declared in 1925 by Pope Pius. In 1969 St. Pope Paul VI changed its title to Christ, King of the Universe to emphasize the eschatological (end of this world) nature of Christ’s dominion.

Jesus himself taught what we call the “Our Father” to his disciples. St. Augustine called it the perfect prayer and yet we can get in a rut of saying it without really thinking about the words. Perhaps we can refresh this perfect prayer by thinking about what we are praying for and how we pray.  

The Pope, our Holy Father Francis, is visiting Slovakia. I want to share with you some highlights of what I thought is a significant speech for our times.

This Labor Day weekend, we recognize the value of work and workers.

The feast of St. Joachim and Anne, the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is celebrated on the 26th of July. Mary’s parents are not named in the Bible, so where do we get their names?

As I am writing this on Tuesday it is the Solemnity of St. Peter and St. Paul. Peter’s faith is the “rock” on which the Church is built. From Jerusalem, Peter brought the faith to the important city of Antioch. He is considered its first Bishop and later was martyred while in Rome.

It is time for a little church party! Bring a dish to pass, your kickball attire (if you're interested), and a lawn chair. If you have a grill and want to tailgate, we are fine with that, too. The parish will supply soft beverages.

Meet our new St. Francis School principal, Mrs. Mary Cormican! Mrs. Cormican’s long career in education began in Michigan's UP where she was a Phy. Ed. teacher and coach. Since first entering the education field she has held many positions including special education teacher, diagnostician, administrator, director of special education and pupil services and curriculum, and most recently principal at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School in Ladysmith, WI.