Grace and growth: The exercise of retreats
Before you start reading this column, I’d like to ask you to grab some paper and something to write with. We’re going to do a short exercise.
Before you start reading this column, I’d like to ask you to grab some paper and something to write with. We’re going to do a short exercise.
The early years of my adulthood and priesthood were spent teaching theology at Newman Theological College in Edmonton, Canada. I was young, full of energy, loved teaching and was discovering the joys of ministry. For the most part, these were good years.
During my senior year of high school, I had an experience that struck me (even at the time) as worthy of reflection.
In his message for World Communications Day, released Jan. 24 – the feast day of St. Francis de Sales, patron saint of journalists, and just in time for Catholic Press Month – Pope Francis speaks primarily of the need to listen.
I hope your holidays were rich with love and joy.
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! With fresh-cut trees, spiced drinks and gingerbread cookies, it’s beginning to smell a lot like Christmas, too.
Someone asks Fr. Mike Schmitz how to receive a gift well.
“I think it’s a great opportunity.” I was bemoaning the state of a country divided almost down the middle. The election that so many people thought was for the soul of the country or for its future instead revealed that we are divided almost 50-50.