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Older Catholics might well remember the annual parish mission which men and women attended on separate evenings allowing the preacher to speak frankly about issues thought sensitive at the time. …
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5/21/25
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When the 10th Bishop of Providence assumes his title next week, not only the traditional letters “D.D.” will follow his name but also the letters “CSsR” will be observed as …
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5/15/25
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How about this for the proudest boast ever: “The Father and I are one.” (Jn10:30) Still, Scripture readers should not be surprised at Christ’s claim. The very first line of St. …
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5/8/25
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Trivia Question: What was Jesus’ last miracle? No, no, not his Resurrection; let’s leave that grand event to God the Father. Actually during his public lifetime Jesus worked 37 miracles, …
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5/1/25
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For many years, actually many centuries, the Catholic Mass was concluded with the priest’s reading of the opening verses of the Gospel according to St. John which begins, “In the …
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4/24/25
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Cornelius, a Gentile military officer, was “…devout and God-fearing along with his whole household.” The Book of Acts recalls that he “… used to give alms generously …
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4/17/25
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The prophet Mohammed was not only an insightful preacher he was also a capable and quite successful military leader. Within his lifetime, most of Asia Minor and much of North Africa had been wrested …
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4/10/25
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The Hebrew Scriptures do not mince their words when it comes to the punishment suitable for adultery. The Book of Leviticus, reflecting the traditions of the southern Jews in Judea, clearly provides …
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4/3/25
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The Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia, was at one time the residence and home of the Russian Czars. Over the centuries the massive building also became the residence and home of some of the …
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3/27/25
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Devout Catholics are familiar with holy cards and stained-glass windows depicting saints in awe before the Divine Presence. Lourdes and Fatima recall several Heavenly appearances. Scripture scholars …
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3/20/25
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St. John makes no mention of the post-baptismal temptations of Christ. St. Mark offers a brief mention of the event: “At once the Spirit drove him out into the desert, and he remained in the …
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3/6/25
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They were an ideal parish family. The husband served on the parish council and coached the school basketball team. The wife helped count the Sunday donations on Monday morning and helped with …
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2/27/25
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Pope Francis raised some eyebrows late last year when he told the children of Singapore, “All religions are paths to reach God. They are—to make a comparison—like different …
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2/20/25
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Wisely did the Sacred Author place this coming Sunday’s responsorial psalm as the first of the Bible’s one hundred and fifty prayerful canticles. This initial Biblical hymn offers the …
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2/13/25
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The reader can certainly sympathize with the young Isaiah who is awed by “the Lord seated on a high and lofty throne, with the train of his garment filling the temple.” At the sound of …
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2/6/25
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The bus for LaSalle arrived at my corner at 8 a.m. every school day. On exam days, my mother and I could attend the 7 a.m. Mass at the nearby Polish church, get home to eat breakfast quickly, and …
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1/30/25
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When Noah and his wildlife companions exited the ark, the ancient patriarch built an altar on the spot and offered sacrifice to God in thanksgiving for his deliverance. When God spared …
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1/23/25
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Saints Matthew, Mark and Luke in their Gospel accounts and Saint Paul in his Letters relate with striking similarity the institution of the Eucharistic Body and Blood of Jesus Christ under the …
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1/16/25
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Born in Quebec, raised in Fall River, and spending her final years in Woonsocket, Marie Rose Ferron (1902-36) is a much-respected and devout soul. To this day, La Petite Rose is revered by many for …
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1/9/25
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St. Ambrose of Milan (d.397) might have been the first theologian to acknowledge the Blessed Virgin Mary as Mother of the Church. Quite recent examinations of his writings reveal that the ancient …
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12/19/24
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