I was recently invited to attend the Red Mass in our diocese and to the luncheon which followed where a very good friend was presented with The St. Thomas More Award for his outstanding commitment to the legal profession coupled with his Catholic faith. The Principal Celebrant of the Mass was Cardinal Sean O’Malley, OFM,... Continue Reading →

Many years ago, a young priest said Mass for us and preached on forgiveness since that was the subject of the gospel reading for that day. He closed the book and leaned forward saying to us: “I have lived this gospel.” It turned out that his mother, father, brother, and he left for a mini... Continue Reading →

Yes, here I am on a gorgeous October day in northern Ohio. But I have been so, so busy --like a little pinwheel spinning in a windstorm. My Mam says she might ask that I be put on payroll. Seriously. What would Light of Hearts do without me? By the time I meet with the... Continue Reading →

This past August the amazing giant of ‘environmental spirituality’ passed to the next life at age 92. Writers, scientists, and farmers, in general anyone who loves the Earth and its generous, bountiful soul, were saddened to learn that it's iconic advocate and lover, Wendell Berry has moved on. Surely, the Earth weeps. Novelist and fellow... Continue Reading →

Artist, Kreg Yingst The gospel reading for one of the mornings this past week was The Good Samaritan, a well-known and appreciated story that everyone seems to love. After hearing the gospel, I came across the cover on the publication, Give Us This Day, for the October liturgies of the Catholic Church. It is a... Continue Reading →

Some people, both Catholic and non-Catholic, ask the question inspired by today’s political climate, why Catholic clergy cannot engage professionally in politics. It’s a fair question considering people ordained in other faiths are running for office in the United States. (Twelve ministers are running at this point.) We crave for honest representatives, persons with a... Continue Reading →

OK, so I thought I might as well jump into the fray; you know, the debate on AI - the scary, unknowable, baffling reality all set to wipe out the human race within ten years. When I was a child, the big scare was ‘the communists,’ a group I feared so much that I was... Continue Reading →

Let’s try to limit our arguments against the unreasonable among the many disputes on political issues. Can we do this over the next few months? The inane arguments can sink like rocks thrown into the river; the valuable can soar like birds on the shore knowing they carry life and, yes, song for the universe. In... Continue Reading →

As summer has ended and fall begins its slow but beautiful incursion into our lives, we will still get some lingering days warm enough for an activity outdoors. Some of us might enjoy hikes that are bereft of mountainous terrain and treacherous environments, more like the challenging but milder terrains that State Parks offer at... Continue Reading →

Last Sunday’s second reading of the liturgy really struck me as very appropriate for today. Saint Paul urges the Romans not to conform themselves to this world “but be transformed by the renewal of your mind that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.” (Romans 12:2) “Be transformed... Continue Reading →