In 1973 American Psychiatrist Karl Menninger wrote a little book called “Whatever Happened to Sin?” The book caught the imagination of the American public and created a wave of dialogues and debates, stories and sermons about the same topic.
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BY BISHOP THOMAS J. TOBIN
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2/8/08
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The National Catholic (the word is used loosely) Reporter recently praised the church in the Netherlands for its innovative response to the vocation crisis.
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BY FATHER JOHN A. KILEY
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2/8/08
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Each beatitude proclaimed in this Sunday’s liturgy celebrates a deficiency. That’s right. Jesus, through the pen of St. Matthew, honors our brothers and sisters in faith who lack some portion of life and whom others might dismiss.
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BY FATHER JOHN A. KILEY
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2/1/08
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Years ago, the last week of January was celebrated throughout the Catholic world as the Church Unity Octave. Beginning on the former feast of St. Peter’s Chair at Rome and concluding on the current feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, observers of the octave prayed for the unity of various Christian communities with the Church of Rome.
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BY FATHER JOHN A. KILEY
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1/25/08
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Extension Magazine is the publication of the Catholic Extension Society, an organization that "exists to sustain and extend the Catholic Faith in poor and remote mission areas of the United States." In that context, then, I wasn't surprised to find recently an article about the Church in Alaska. The story was an eye-opener, though, and reminded me of how easy it is, how convenient it is to practice our Catholic Faith here in Rhode Island.
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BY BISHOP THOMAS J. TOBIN
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1/25/08
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Voice of the Faithful on-line newsletter, no doubt hoping to justify its own critical assessment of U.S. Catholicism, recommends its constituents read a recent article from Commonweal magazine regarding the “high stress, poor health, and low morale” of the diocesan clergy, specifically in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.
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BY FR. JOHN A. KILEY
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1/18/08
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A couple of weeks before Christmas, the Providence Journal featured an article on its religion page that highlighted a few Protestant communities that reject the celebration of Christmas.
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BY FATHER JOHN A. KILEY
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1/11/08
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Compared to the busyness and excitement of December, January is a rather quiet month. The holidays are behind us and we’ve settled in to survive the onslaught of winter, whether it turns out to be a lion or a lamb.
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BY BISHOP THOMAS J. TOBIN
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1/9/08
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An advertisement featured recently on local radio begs support for a Roman Catholic missionary congregation that has earned justifiable renown over the last century. This religious congregation of priests and sisters had brought the Gospel message, amid much suffering and persecution, to what today is often called the Third World. They have a noble record.
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BY FR. JOHN A. KILEY
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1/4/08
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After 20 centuries of Christianity, the edge has been somewhat taken off St. Matthew’s insightful designation for Jesus Christ: “... and his name shall be called Emmanuel, which is God with us.” The reader should also note that this description of the nearness of God through Christ neatly concludes St. Matthew’s Gospel as well. The ascending Jesus Christ proclaims to his puzzled Apostles: “Behold I am with you always until the end of the age.” So the nearness of God, the presence of God, the closeness of God to his people through Christ is fundamental to the Gospel message.
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BY FR. JOHN A. KILEY
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12/21/07
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Without a doubt the centerpiece of the Christmas Season is the Holy Family – Jesus, Mary and Joseph huddled together in the Bethlehem stable – always a beautiful and comforting scene for us. Is it any wonder that year after year we pause before the familiar manger displayed in our homes, churches – and sometimes public places – to gaze upon the Holy Family, say a little prayer and embrace a welcome moment of peace.
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BY BISHOP THOMAS J. TOBIN
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12/19/07
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It might seem a little premature to celebrate the great solemnity of Pentecost, but there is a valid connection between the spirit of Advent and the arrival of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles after Jesus’ return to heaven.
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BY FATHER JOHN A. KILEY
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12/14/07
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Legend has it that each year at this time the Grinch and the Angel meet to debate the meaning and value of Christmas. “Christmas is a serious problem,” said the Grinch, “and should be banned from the face of the earth forever.” “Christmas is an important occasion and a wonderful opportunity for the human family,” replied the Angel. “It should be celebrated by everyone with as much joy as possible!”
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BY BISHOP THOMAS J. TOBIN
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12/12/07
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“Hello, Father Kiley? This is Peter Gilmore. My aunt said that I should call you about being a God-parent for my cousin Patrick’s baby.
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BY FATHER JOHN A. KILEY
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12/7/07
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Readers of “The Quiet Corner” should put aside for one evening their reading of Will Durant’s “History of Civilization” and watch a couple of half-hour situation comedies on network television.
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BY FATHER JOHN KILEY
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11/30/07
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Strengthened by the presence of Christ, the Church journeys through time toward the consummation of the ages and goes to meet the Lord who comes.
But on this journey, she proceeds along the path already taken by the Virgin Mary, who advanced in her pilgrimage of faith, and loyally persevered in union with her son.
Pope John Paul II,
“Redemptoris Mater”
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BY BISHOP THOMAS J. TOBIN
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11/30/07
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Although Jesus himself never treasured nor even accepted the title “king,” this royal identity is a logical result of centuries of Christian belief. Jesus was born into the line of King David. Jesus was worshipped by the three Persian noblemen.
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BY FR. JOHN KILEY, Pastor, St. Francis of Assissi, Warwick
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11/23/07
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Dear God and Father,
As Thanksgiving draws near, help me to realize all that it means to be a truly thankful person.
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BY BISHOP THOMAS J. TOBIN
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11/15/07
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No word has fallen on harder times in present day Roman Catholic circles than the word soul. Think of how common expressions containing the word soul were in Catholic life just a few short years ago. …
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BY FR. JOHN A. KILEY
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11/15/07
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It has been a few months since the glorious feast of the Resurrection. The fresh lilies, the lyrical alleluias, and the glow of the Paschal candle have long lost their splendor. Easter has changed from a festive celebration of risen life into a sublime doctrine pondered by the devout.
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BY FR. JOHN A. KILEY
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11/9/07
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