I like to browse real estate websites and drool over spacious homes with spectacular views and gracious interiors. Recently, I’ve been looking at luxury apartments in Manhattan. One building features his and hers bathtubs. Another offers a special room for washing the dog. One townhouse includes an indoor swimming pool fed by a waterfall. Prices? […]

Dear God, it’s a new year again. I can’t remember last year’s resolutions, probably something about eating less, praying more and being kinder. I know I didn’t keep them as well as I would like. They’re worthwhile goals, though, so if you don’t mind, I’ll resolve them again this year. I know there’s more to […]

I have a quarrel with nativity scenes. St. Francis created the first Christmas crèche to encourage our devotion to Christ. He put real straw in a real manger and brought a real ox and donkey to a rocky crevice in the hillside. They illustrated his sermon on poverty and humility. In today’s nativity scenes, the […]

I’ve become a papal junkie. Every day I hit the Internet for Pope Francis’ latest interview, homily, photograph or video. I’m not alone. Few popes have so quickly and effectively captured the interest and affection of both church members and non-Catholics. This both pleases and saddens me. It saddens me because Pope Francis isn’t saying […]