It may seem strange for someone to say they love a season of repentance, but in fact, I look forward to Lent every year with great enthusiasm. In many ways, I see it as a time when the rubber hits the road for Catholics, as we put aside excuses and really get serious about our faith. [...]
There's an old saying about giving the devil his due, and today it seems more fitting than ever. Many ignore the reality of the one called the Prince of Lies in Scripture, refusing to link him with the evils in the world today. Oh, yes, these folks will say, there certainly is evil in the world. [...]
In my mind's eye I see her: She’s the perfect Christmas woman. She is wearing an elegant ensemble with glittering gems gracing her ears. Her home is perfumed with the sumptuous scent of gingerbread men. They are stunningly shaped and hand-decorated, of course. On the mantel of this perfect woman are jaunty boughs, festooned with regal [...]
It's no secret that Catholic fiction writers have to work harder and longer than secular authors to get their books reviewed. And although it's true that reviews really shouldn't mean that much, let's face it, they do! Every author likes to know his works are being read. Alas, many Christian publications refuse to review our works [...]
Some things seem too good to be true. When you fall in love and the person returns your affection – that's definitely one of those things. Or maybe you win a great prize and that is your first reaction: Why it’s too good to be true! And in many ways the Christian story falls under that [...]
There are very few things left from my childhood. No favorite books, no trinkets, no furniture. Just an old stuffed Pluto dog, a la the Disney comics, whom I named Poppa. When he was brand new, Poppa Pluto had silky golden fur and flashing black eyes. But today he is completely bald, and his body bears [...]
When my home parish was hijacked by a liturgist about seven years ago, I gnashed my teeth, complained to the pastor, whined to fellow parishioners, and finally realized that this was a tide that couldn't be bucked-- not by ordinary means, that is. Then I remembered the old saying about the pen being mightier than the [...]
Some words change your life forever. Three simple ones --“I love you”-- top the list. There are also “You’re wonderful,” contrasted with “You’re fired.” But the saddest words of all, the most shocking, the hardest to bear, are “She’s dead.” Of course, for Catholics death is a doorway, not a brick wall. We believe that, as [...]
Sometimes I yearn for a dog. I'll see a fluffy guy scampering down the street and think about how much fun it would be to have him as my very own. He would sit with me at night while I am reading. He would sleep on my feet as I'm at the computer writing. Then I see [...]
When it comes to Lent, the knee jerk reaction is giving up goodies. I’ll say no to desserts or coffee or snacks, and I’ll be good to go! There’s nothing wrong with these sacrifices, of course, but this year I’m hoping to change something else in my life -- my relationships with other people.The thing about [...]
