News - Your Faith RSS Feed

As many families experience more together time, from distance learning or remote work or other life changes, now is an opportune time to revisit how you celebrate faith at home.

Q: With all this new technology the Church is using, why can’t I just receive my sacraments virtually? A: These tough days of battling the worldwide epidemic COVID-19 are slowly revealing more challenges than just those who are struggling to fight the disease. I suspect these days will be the subject of thousands of studies over the next 100 years until this current generation outlives those who battled the pandemic. And, God forbid, if the world ever faces a pandemic like this again, these days will be remembered and decisions will be based upon the successes and failures of how we faced the pandemic of the 2020’s.

It was just about this time last year when our diocese was so greatly blessed with the vibrant and extremely well-attended Eucharistic Congress, which brought together more than 1,000 people from across the diocese, which focused our attention on 2020 as our diocesan “Year of the Eucharist.”

Geez Mom, isn’t it time to retire that robe? That was the unsolicited wardrobe advice I was greeted with on a recent Saturday morning as I groggily poured my first cup of coffee. “This was G.G. Mae’s — I’m keeping it,” I said.

Diocese of Kalamazoo Patron Saint

Q: Dear Father: How do we receive the body and blood of Jesus if we can only receive the host? A: If someone had told me a year ago what it would be like today, I would have never believed them. None of us would have. We couldn’t have imagined that schools, stores, bars and restaurants would be closed. Who would have thought we’d be “social distancing,” unable to visit family and friends, or experiencing “contactless” shopping or deliveries? And if those things weren’t enough, we would soon face the necessity of suspending public Mass; only being able to celebrate Mass on TV or via social media. It makes me wonder what things will be like three months ... or six months ... or a year from now.

Easter is the holiest day of our Catholic faith. After 40 days of penance through prayer, fasting and almsgiving during Lent, and the three days of preparation during the Easter triduum, we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus and the promise of eternal life. Through the centuries Catholics have developed many traditions for celebrating Holy Week. Incorporating these traditions into our personal observances lends a rich experience of the true message of this time in our liturgical calendar.

Q: Why do I have to go to confession with a priest? God knows what’s in my heart — isn’t saying I’m sorry to him in prayer enough? A: The simple answer? For the grace.

Advocate of peace, advisor to popes: Catherine of Siena

Durante esta época del año, muchas personas esperan unas “Vacaciones de Primavera”. Recientemente tuve el gran placer de pasar unos días con mis seis hermanos en la soleada Florida. Estas breves vacaciones familiars proporcionaron un especial y bienvenido tiempo juntos, así como un descanso de nuestras responsabilidades ordinarias y nuestros horarios de rutina.

During this time of year many people look forward to a “Spring Break.” Just recently I had the great pleasure to spend time with my six siblings in sunny Florida for a few days. This brief family vacation provided both a welcome and special time together as well as a break from our ordinary responsibilities and routine schedules.

I CAN STILL REMEMBER THE MAGIC OF THE STILLNESS of the house as I cozied up on our living room couch nursing my infant daughter. It’s one of my fondest memories of being a new mom — all thoughts of “to do” lists set aside. Just the sounds of my own breathing in rhythm with the sleeping infant with the full belly nuzzling into me. It was in those sweet moments, where time seemed suspended and all seemed right with the world.

During the season of Advent (from Latin adventus, “a coming”), we are prayerfully and joyfully awaiting the coming of Jesus Christ at Christmas. Advent also marks the beginning of a new liturgical year for the Church. These weeks allow us to focus on deepening our prayer life, both individually and as a family and, hopefully, inspire us to strengthen traditions centered around preparing ourselves and our homes for a new year with Christ.

Father James Vinh Le’s journey through mine fields and refugee camps to the priesthood

What does it mean to prepare to receive the Eucharist? Is it really a big deal if I have a bite of toast before I go to Mass? First let me say: Don’t complain! At one time, you couldn’t have a glass of water before attending Mass. In fact, you couldn’t eat or drink anything after midnight on the day you were going to receive holy Communion. The “Eucharistic fast,” as it is called, is an important part of preparing to receive Holy Communion.

Bishop publishes Loving God and our Neighbor; Living Eucharist as Mission; declares 2020 ‘Year of the Eucharist’ Just in time for the new liturgical year, Bishop Paul J. Bradley has published his fifth pastoral letter to the people of the diocese. Loving God and our Neighbor: Living Eucharist as Mission explores the sacred relationship Catholics have with the Eucharist and its spiritual nourishment to inspire us to lead lives in model of the example of Jesus.

Sitting across from bespectacled Josh Ingraham, it’s hard to imagine that he was once “quite a handful,” as he calls it. The earnest young man, a junior this year at St. Philip Catholic Central, seems more interested in discussing his latest adventure camping trip than in causing trouble. But it was his troublemaking, he says, that got him kicked out of two public schools before second grade — a series of events that led his mom, Renee, to enroll him at St. Joseph Elementary School in Battle Creek.

On April 17, I attended a lecture at Notre Dame University presented by Mary Meg McCarthy. She is the director of the National Immigration Justice Center and a strong human rights advocate for immigrants. I was inspired by her talk and commitment. I spoke with her after about how I might see for myself the reality of the crisis at the border. She gave me a connection with Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Laredo, Texas.

What does it take to be declared a saint in the Catholic Church? What’s the difference between Venerable and Blessed? We’re breaking down the process and highlighting some holy Michiganders.

Q: Dear Father John: I recently went to a wedding and my non-Catholic friend asked me why we worship statues? What do I tell him?