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“Building when no one can see…”

Monday, June 21st, 2010

As anyone who’s read this site for any length of time has probably figured out, I have a passion for using new technologies to pass on the faith. Digital communication is still in its infancy and I believe we have only begun to see the effects it will have on the Church, evangelization and catechesis. [...]

“Nothing less is expected of us as priests…”

Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010

This past Saturday our diocese ordained two men to the sacred priesthood. More specifically, His Eminence Francis Cardinal George of Chicago ordained the men as our diocese awaits the installation of Bishop Paprocki on June 22. Rev. Msgr. Carl Kemme, our diocesan administrator, delivered the homily and I have to say: it probably ranks in [...]

Habemus Episcopum!

Tuesday, April 20th, 2010

It is with great joy that I forward the news that the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois has a new bishop: Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Auxiliary Bishop Thomas J. Paprocki of the Archdiocese of Chicago to be the new bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Springfield in Illinois. He succeeds Archbishop George J. Lucas, [...]

Radcliffe on Leaving the Church

Thursday, April 8th, 2010

I don’t often link to other commentary on the web (the best way to find out what I’m reading on a given day is to follow me on Twitter), but this piece by Timothy Radcliffe, O.P., about whether to leave  the Church in the wake of the sexual abuse scandal is too good to pass [...]

On the Feast of St. Patrick

Wednesday, March 17th, 2010

Today we celebrate the feast of St. Patrick. In our secular culture, St. Patrick (and his feast day) is remembered simply for his connection to shamrocks, leprechauns and green beer. In fact, St. Patrick was a native of Britain. While still a teen Patrick was captured and taken to Ireland; he spent six years there [...]

Open Letter to Governor Pat Quinn

Tuesday, February 16th, 2010

Dear Governor Quinn: I am writing today on behalf of our diocese’s 11,323 school children to urge that you propose funding for the Illinois Textbook Loan Program in your 2011 budget. The Textbook Loan Program has provided secular textbooks, learning materials and instructional computer software to public and nonpublic school students since 1975. Although most [...]

Imagine the Potential

Friday, January 22nd, 2010

Haiti Earthquake Response

Wednesday, January 13th, 2010

Catholic Relief Services has launched a major aid operation to help the victims of the Haiti earthquake. CRS has been working in Haiti since 1954. The CRS team in Haiti is in place to distribute emergency relief. Donations can be made online at www.crs.org or sent directly to them at: 228 W. Lexington Baltimore, MD [...]

On the Usefulness of Death Panels

Thursday, September 3rd, 2009

It seems to me that, in the cacophony of debate surrounding health care reform and the so-called “death panels,” that a simple foundational reality has eluded some people: Death panels would be immeasurably useful in modern American society. Which is to say, they are useful in a society that has largely abandoned the traditional family [...]

A Good Childhood

Monday, February 2nd, 2009

An interesting new study out of England blames the break-up of families — and the cooresponding damage inflicted on children — on the “enlightened” self-interest of parents: The wellbeing of millions of children across Britain is being damaged by adults’ aggressive pursuit of personal success, a three-year inquiry by the Children’s Society concluded today. The [...]