Memorial Day began as Decoration Day. In 1868, Major General John A. Logan, commander in chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, proclaimed the first official Memorial Day.
Category: Seeing with Jesus’ Eyes
Mothers are God’s unique gift to us
I treasure the time when I treated my mother to lunch at Sunshine restaurant in Dubuque, Iowa.
She went around the crowded restaurant pointing to me and proudly telling complete strangers, “That’s my son. He is a priest.”
Easter faith reveals flowers of hope
A boy returned from catechism class, where he learned about Jesus’ Resurrection. During his walk home, he stopped at a religious goods store to study a crucifix in the window.
An elderly man joined him. He seemed confused by the crucifix.
Earth Day seeks to protect and save all species
The theme of Earth Day 2019 is to protect and save all the species.
Earth day was founded by Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson. He witnessed the devastation caused by an enormous oil spill in Santa Barbara, Calif., which hurt the environment.
In 1969, he proposed the idea to celebrate Earth Day. As always, this year’s Earth Day occurs on April 22, the day after we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus.
Making a fruitful Confession during Lent
A Catholic convert in her 60s made her first Confession.
As she confessed her sins, she began to weep. The priest listened and gently asked only a few questions. She exclaim-ed, “He was so understanding and non-judgmental. It was easy for me to open up and confess.”
Married couples need Christ to help them grow together
George confided to friends at his 50th wedding anniversary that his father-in-law gave him a watch on his wedding day.
Across the watch’s face, where he could see it a dozen times a day, were written the words, “Say something nice to Mary Lou today.”
Let us choose a fruitful Lenten penance
Years ago a priest walked through a dark alley in a dangerous part of town. Suddenly a robber emerged from the darkness and pointed a gun at his back.
“Your money or your life,” the robber ordered. The priest turned to give the robber his money.
The robber recognized that he was a priest by his Roman collar and exclaimed, “Oh Father, I didn’t know it was you! I would never rob a priest!”
Catholic schools are different where it counts
In 1974, Catholic Schools Week was established as the annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States. This year it occurs from January 27 to February 2. Its theme is “Catholic Schools: Learn. Serve. Lead. Succeed.”
Roe v. Wade and the damage done by abortion
In his speech to Catholic health care professionals and gynecologists on September 20, 2013, Pope Francis said, “Every child who is condemned unjustly to being aborted bears the face of Christ, who even before he was born, and then just after birth, experienced the world’s rejection.
Love your family
We celebrate Holy Family Sunday on December 30 between Christmas and the feast of the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God.
Holy Family Sunday reminds us that the infant Jesus was raised in a family. Under Mary and Joseph’s guidance, in his human nature, Jesus grew in wisdom, understanding, and knowledge.