Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Church

We are in Lourdes, 1858, and a young girl named Bernadette, age 14 or 15 (she’s not entirely sure), sits before the inspector of Lourdes, defending her claim to have seen aquero (that thing).   This is the opening scene of director Serge Denoncourt and producers Kelsey Grammar and Pierre Ferragu’s production, Bernadette, the Musical, Read More…

Musical ‘Bernadette’ is a luminous wonder of faith

Many dream of walking the famed Camino de Santiago in Spain, but did you know there is a “mini-Camino” here in the U.S.? The annual Walk to Mary in Wisconsin is a fairly new tradition, established just 13 years ago in 2013. But it’s grown in an incredible way — and those who’ve taken part Read More…

Record number of pilgrims expected for “America’s mini-Camino”

Pope Leo offered a reflection on the Gospel reading for this Sunday before praying the midday Angelus, noting that faith must open our eyes. The Holy Father said that our faith should be “alert, attentive, and prophetic. It should likewise open our eyes to the darkness of the world.” Here is the full translation of Read More…

Faith is not a “leap in the dark”: Pope’s thoughts on light

Pope Leo voiced yet another plea for the end of the war in the Middle East, warning that “violence can never lead to the justice, stability, and peace for which the peoples are waiting.” He drew particular attention to the plight of Lebanon, which has the highest Christian presence in the Holy Land. The number Read More…

Violence can never lead to peace, warns Pope Leo

For many of us, serving the poor and suffering is not something that comes naturally. We may want to be loving and charitable, but our natural inclinations betray our intentions. As an example, we may see a poor person on the street and either try to shield ourselves from them, trying to ignore their presence, Read More…

Do you have an eager heart when caring for the poor and suffering?

Have you had a chance to watch The Promised Land yet?  It’s “A comedy of biblical proportions” which began streaming at YouTube and Angel Studios in October, billed as a take on Moses’ desert wanderings, but in the style of NBC’s The Office, with half-hour storylines interrupted with documentary-style interviews with the characters. I got Read More…

Moses on ‘The Office’? ‘The Promised Land’ delivers

Often we read about a saint who was able to see God in a dream or vision, and how it radically changed their life. When we read about such stories, we may want to have a similar experience, either seeing God with our eyes, or feeling his presence. Spiritually speaking, this is possible and available Read More…

Here’s how you can see God in this life

Once, while standing on top of the white cliffs of Dover, I had a sudden, very strong mental picture of what it would be like to throw myself off. Now, to be very clear, I am not suicidal and never have been. That’s why the unwanted thought of doing so was so startling. It really Read More…

How to deal with intrusive thoughts

Amidst ongoing preparations for the arrival of Pope Leo XVI in Cameroon, the Bishop of Kumbo Diocese has offered a chilling appraisal of the ten-year separatist conflict that has devastated Cameroon’s English-speaking regions. The Holy [...]

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