"Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit." That is, if the grain of wheat has life within it, it is not sterile. Not all the seeds you plant sprout.... More
You and I are closer to some people than we are to others. We have acquaintances, friends and loved ones. We share some things with everyone and more personal things with our friends, but we reserve our most intimate moments for those who know us best... More
During the last century, 10 million people died in natural disasters and 400 million died as victims of human violence — a 1:40 ratio. Ten million innocent victims of the forces of nature that God created — for instance, floods and... More
Probably all of us have fantasized at one time or another about what we would ask for if we could get anything we wanted. A house we can't presently afford? Some accomplishment? Winning the Little Rock marathon? Usually, when we engage in such... More
Today the Church celebrates the feast of the presentation of the child Jesus in the Temple 40 days after his birth, and as we see in today's readings, this was a powerful moment in the life of the Holy Family. They went to the Temple to comply... More
There is no part of the world exempt from disasters. We have tornados, drought and most recently here in Arkansas, ice storms. Other places have hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes and mudslides, and these are just the natural disasters, The... More
Every child needs heroes, and one of my greatest heroes is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who I regard as one of the greatest Americans who ever lived — and all the more so these days when some in politics seem to be doing all in their power to fan... More
When John F. Kennedy was elected our first Catholic president, many people worried that he and other Catholic politicians would not be able to keep their religious faith from influencing the decisions they would make once in office. Subsequent history... More
Today — besides being the feast of Mary the Mother of God — is also the World Day of Prayer for Peace started by Pope Paul VI in 1967. Peace is like love: we recognize it, but it is difficult to describe it. Love is calm, free, just... More
What's in a name? Parents spend a lot of time deciding what name to give their children. Some names are chosen to honor beloved relatives, living or dead. My middle name is Basil which is also the name of my father, my grandfather, my great-grandfather... More
'Why, Lord?' appropriate prayer in grief, Pope says
History of most contested swath of land in Middle East
Two Catholic communities receive state's safety grants
Struggling Catholics addiction support in Charleston
A Catholic You Want to Know: John Bui