Catholic 101: Holy Days of Obligation

Catholic 101: Holy Days of Obligation

When I was a kid, some of the worst words to wake up to were: “Rise and shine! We have to go to Mass today.”  “Today? On a Wednesday?”  “Yep, it’s a Holy Day of Obligation.”  “Oh, great. That means the Church is making us go to Mass in the middle of the week. Does...
“Slaveholding was always a choice”

“Slaveholding was always a choice”

“Slaveholding was always a choice.” This is the running theme in Christopher J. Kellerman’s book, All Oppression Shall Cease: A History of Slavery, Abolitionism, and the Catholic Church.  The Church’s history of slaveholding then is “not of one choice, but of...
An Advent Examination of Conscience

An Advent Examination of Conscience

Advent is a time for us to examine those parts of our lives that need the light of Christ. What parts of us are still in darkness? Many people when they hear the word “sin” may immediately think of things that have to do with sex.  Have we confined the confessional to...