Regnum Christi

I love to have goals. And I love to have a plan to accomplish those goals, and even better, life-hacks to help me accomplish that plan more easily.  I’m not alone in this, hence the rise of the ‘listicle’ in popular culture.  Social media is littered with articles organized into 5 short easy steps to accomplish your highest goals. Somehow we feel if we point our inner control freak in the right direction by following fool proof steps, we will accomplish what we set out to do.

This is good and helpful in many areas of life. You need a plan if you want to learn a new language, train to run a marathon or accomplish a home renovation.  You need a list when you are buying groceries, and a budget to make sure there is money to pay for them. Continue reading →

The experience of beauty belongs to the individual because it takes place in a person’s mind and heart.  It resonates, it evokes, and it speaks in the interior of the person.  A picture is worth a thousand words but our own experience is what allows it to speak to us.  The impact of art is in the resonance it stirs within us.

As I learned my Catholic faith I saw the importance and reverence given to Mary, and it made me uneasy. Looking at Jesus, I came to know him as Mercy who loves me, but somehow before Mary, all I saw was the weight of my imperfections. Searching for a way to know her in statues and paintings of her at Church, I couldn’t find my own experience, or anything that connected us.  I didn’t know how to relate to Mary or how to approach her. She was perfect, almost stone-cold perfect, in the way I saw her.  Continue reading →

St Joseph’s Basilica, Edmonton Canada

I fled Him, down the nights and down the days;
I fled Him, down the arches of the years;
I fled Him, down the labyrinthine ways
Of my own mind; and in the midst of tears
I hid from Him, and under running laugther.

But with unhurrying chase,
And unperturbèd pace,
Deliberate speed, majestic instancy,
They beat—and a Voice beat
More instant than the Feet—
‘All things betray thee, who betrayest Me’. Continue reading →

Come Holy Spirit! When we ask for the Spirit of God, we are asking above all that He show us His love. St Paul writes that since we have received the Spirit we are able to call God, “Father.” God’s love for us is show in this marvelous gift of His Spirit who guides us, protects us, and purifies us to be able to be united to Him for all eternity.  How hard it is to let ourselves be loved, and recognize that we are loved. Pentecost is all about that. The disciples were united with one another, in other words, they loved one another. And they are loved by God, and God gives Himself eternally and entirely to us, in His Spirit. Life in God can only be seen as being loved by Him, unworthy though we may be, but not an unworthiness that separates us from God, but rather which unites us more to Him.

What can you ever really know of other people’s souls—of their temptations, their opportunities, their struggles? — CS Lewis

As a Catholic priest, I have a unique vision of human nature…people are totally transparent and open with me. Before judging a difficult or painful person, please assume there is some hidden darkness and terrible pain, and trust that it is rarely about “you” or what is actually happening in the “moment.”

Here’s LC Cheshire Alum Br Gustavo evangelizing in Rome between classes. Back in Mexico he was preparing to play professional soccer. But when God called, he responded generously. Now he is using his talents to share the joy of friendship with Jesus and recruit many to play on Jesus’ team!

Today ask God what he would like you to do today, something small or something big.

L-R: Deacon Parker Senior, Denise, Bishop Ricken of Green Bay, Deacon Parker Junior

Mother’s Day weekend was special for Denise Parker of Pulaski, Wisconsin.

Other women have experienced what she experienced this weekend – but not many.  And certainly nobody in Pulaski, the Catholic Diocese of Green Bay or any of the nearby communities has had a similar experience.

Denise spent the weekend surrounded by friends, family and the community that makes up Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish.  I was blessed to be part of the crowd of visitors to witness the rare ordination to the order of deacon of a father and son. (More coverage here.) Continue reading →

Today we celebrate our mothers and Christ’s Ascension. Mothers are a testimony of God’s love, just as the Ascension is the final testimony of God’s love for us. The gospel tells us that the disciples rejoiced at the fact that Christ went to Heaven. With the Ascension, the faith of the disciples was confirmed. They rejoiced because after those years believing in this man, who called himself the Son of God, they saw Him enter Heaven. Mothers also confirm our faith in God. Their testimony of love and tenderness is a great testimony of God’s love for us.

Happy Mother’s day to all moms out there, especially mine!

   Intentionality matters.  My first semester at Brother Rice High School did not go well academically…I was running cross country, involved in a school play (“Guys and Dolls”) and simply having too much fun.  So, knowing that the report card would arrive in the mail on a Tuesday, I went out to the local flower shop and bought my mom a dozen carnations on Monday (and put them in the freezer to preserve them for the next day…I certainly did not know much about flowers!). When my mom came home that Tuesday after work (she was a 2nd grade teacher), I handed her the frost bitten flowers and shortly afterwards, she discovered the mediocre report card.  I would like to think that the my intention behind the flowers was a random act of kindness to show well deserved appreciation for my mom’s countless favors and sacrifices…but no, it was done to lessen the blow.   Continue reading →

Seventeen 8th graders from Houston, Texas were intent on sparking a fire of enthusiasm for Christ, the Pope, and the Church. And they weren’t alone.

The Northwoods Catholic School students and families on pilgrimage in Rome were joined by over 100,000 other people, mostly teens age 12-16, at the Mass at St. Peters during the weekend Holy Year of Mercy Jubilee for Youth.

Groggy but excited, 6am they jumped on the train to get a first spot in line for when security opened at 8am for the 10am mass. ECyD members from Chile and Spain were already there. Continue reading →