Monthly Archives: June 2018

In Part 1 of What Not to Do This Summer, I suggested that the four hindrances to the virtue of diligence paralleled, strangely enough, things to avoid in order to have a joy-filled summer! St. Francis de Sales taught us … Continue reading →

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season … Continue reading →

If I want to accomplish something, I sometimes get bulldoggish about it. “Single-minded” describes this trait in a positive light; “stubborn” and “myopic” describe it too. When I flew to Detroit for 12 days this summer for a gathering of … Continue reading →

Summer is a time for friends and celebrations, and we belong to a church that loves to celebrate.  You’ll be in good company with these five saints who have summer feast days. June 22nd– SAINT THOMAS MORE “I die the … Continue reading →

A few years ago I stumbled upon a book called A Year With the Saints, and instead of reading it cover to cover, I pick it up every once in a while and read one of the twelve chapters, each … Continue reading →

I was working on a short story for my creative writing course when I ran into a problem. The story is about knights and castles, and I wanted the King, Cherathon the Flame, to be an allegorical Christ-figure. But an … Continue reading →

There are some things about the World Cup of Soccer that can be predicted with near precision. Some are good and some are bad. And they will play out in Russia over the month-long extravaganza of sport and media fascination. Let’s … Continue reading →

Up until last weekend, it had been a long time since our family had taken a trip together. In 2012, we had collected enough points to fly our entire family of seven to Europe for two weeks, where we stayed … Continue reading →

For many book lovers, summer brings the possibility of days spent relaxing with a good read.  The dilemma arises: what to choose? A self-confessed bibliophile, I am blessed to have many friends whose souls and characters are enriched by being … Continue reading →

Midway through a melodious ode about spring brimming with life and replete with dancing nymphs and Cytherean Venus—picture Botticelli’s Birth of Venus—Horace suddenly introduces Pallida Mors, pale death. It shocks, it dazzles, it pains the reader that in a meditation … Continue reading →