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. more

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. more

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. more

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. more

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. more

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!” more

“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. more

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. more

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” more

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. more

Dear God and Father, As Thanksgiving draws near, help me to realize all that it means to be a truly thankful person. more

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. … more

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. more

On October 28, in Rome’s St. Peter’s Square, 498 martyrs of the religious persecution in Spain (1936-1939) were beatified. It was the largest group ever to be beatified at the same time. As … more

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It’s a safe bet that most people reading this Quiet Corner article are not axe murderers, terrorists or guilty of laying violent hands on the Holy Father. Few readers will have sins as colorful … more

A recent headline in a Catholic website caught my attention: “Trust evaporating – Poll finds clergy trustworthiness slips precipitously.” The poll surveyed attitudes about the clergy in Canada. According to the survey, 61 percent of Canadians trust church representatives, far below the 97 percent who trust firefighters and the 94 percent who trust nurses. The good news in this poll, if there is any, is that clergy still rank above the pollsters themselves (59 percent), journalists (48 percent) and politicians (just 15 percent). Small comfort it seems. more

Two Blackstone Valley men were recently featured on the front page of the local press celebrating their same-sex nuptials formalized in nearby Massachusetts. Some of their justification for entering into the legal novelty of a same-sex union focused on the little harm that their lifestyle imposed on their neighbors and their community. They go off to work and eat at nearby restaurants and conduct much of their lives as any other couple might. “What fault is there in that?” they might suggest. And, of course, on an individual basis, there probably is very little mischief that can be laid at their doorstep. more

Front page coverage was recently accorded by the Providence Journal to the plight of a contemporary atheist who felt intimidated by vocal believers from both Christian and Moslem backgrounds. This high-school teacher From England, who admits to being a fallen away Anglican, claims to have put aside any semblance of his former faith and thinks now merely of the day ahead. The number of atheists, still very small but sadly increasing, is seen by some as a reaction to the militancy of conservative Christians and belligerent Moslems. The self avowed English atheist, speaking for like-minded unbelievers, observed that “there is a feeling that religion is being forced on an unwilling public....” more

Consider these words of a well-known woman religious: “It is not without reason that I have dwelt upon this period of my life at such length. I know well that nobody will derive any pleasure from … more