This article was written in 2007 and is still relevant today.  It’s a review of the book Why Fathers Count: The Importance of Fathers and Their Involvement with Children.  The article itself contains many reasons why fathers are important.  The contribution to family life made by mothers is not in any way minimized.  However, statistics confirm there has been a marked increase in fatherless families in recent decades, therefore, the focus on fathers. “Children need more than ever the presence and guidance of fathers in family life.”  To read the rest of the article, click here.

Recommended by Kathy Vandersteen, Parishioner and Parish Office Receptionist

The Church calendar indicates that we are in Ordinary Time (September 2016).  Although it may be Ordinary Time, we will experience the extraordinary event of the Canonization of Mother Teresa on September 4, 2016.  What could be more extraordinary than a 5 foot tall sister who took every moment of her life doing ordinary things to the fullest of her ability?  She followed God’s call even when she herself was struggling in her relationship with Jesus. How many of us would throw our hands up in frustration when our relationship with Jesus felt like it was waning?  But she didn’t.

Take a look at this short interview with Father Brian Kolodiejchuk, the Missionaries of Charity’s priest in charge of Mother Teresa’s sainthood cause, who says she’s a compelling role model of holiness in our time because she did ordinary things, but she did them extraordinarily well and with extraordinary love.

As this Year of Mercy continues (December 8, 2015 to November 20, 2016), let us ordinary people do ordinary things extraordinarily well and with extraordinary love as Mother Teresa did.

“Not all of us can do great things.  But we can do small things with great love.” ~Mother Teresa

Sheltering the homeless is one of the corporal works of mercy.  For those of us who read the book Beautiful Mercy and followed along with the homilies this past spring, we were given practical ways to incorporate the corporal and spiritual works of mercy into our everyday life.

During these hot summer days, the well-being of the homeless in our community comes to my mind more often due to the lack of their ability to cool off.  While we are in our homes sitting with our air conditioning and fans, our homeless are searching for a place which will allow them respite from the weather.  I quite often stop at a gas station to pick up food and water to give to a homeless person I have just driven by and hope in some small way I am helping.  I can only imagine what it must be like to be homeless during these hot summer months, or the cold winter nights, but Canadian Bishop Donald Bolen went further than imagining and decided to spend a couple of days living as the homeless do.  He experienced first-hand how invisible homeless problems and people can be.  Take a look at this article from Vatican Radio regarding the days Bishop Donald Bolen spent with his homeless community.  May all of us keep those in need of the basic living essentials in our prayers and hearts.

Bishop Donald Bolen’s Homelessness Experience

With the Feast of St. Valentine approaching, it has me wondering how many of us know the true meaning of the word love. Oh we all know about the hearts and cupid’s arrow, and we all know how to say “I love you” to people who mean so much to us but there is so much more to be shared by giving or receiving love.To me, the word love means to treat each and every person I meet as if they were a member of my family or better yet, as if they were Jesus, himself. I think Pope Francis expressed the meaning of love quite well during his homily on January 9, 2016. Take a minute to read the following article.  The Meaning of the Word Love

By: Parishioner Kathy Vandersteen

 

Father Robert Barron talks about the Union of Christ and the Church in this video, which is video 6 of his series on Catholicism. It’s one-hour of inspiration and eye-opening enrichment. The knowledge of Jesus as the living church is beautifully explained. Click here to see the video.

Recommended by:  Kathy V., parishioner