Teens are like lawyers. They get to those years and all of a sudden, “Because we said so” is not a good enough reason for them to obey you. They want to know the reason why you said so. The key question is “Why?” “But why, Mom?” “Why, Dad, do I have to do that?” […]

Note: This is part one of my latest article in October’s Catholic Insight magazine. On a personal note, I’m a great fan of Tiger Woods, the golfer – and I pray for Tiger Woods, the man. Earl Woods was once thought of as one of America’s greatest dads – maybe even the world’s. Who could […]

Today is the feast of the Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. In the Old Testament book of Tobit, St Raphael encourages Tobias to marry Sarah: “But do not be afraid, for she was set apart for you before the world existed” (Tobit 6:18). This beautiful verse reminds us that it is not only priests and […]

For all of you in the GTA, part one of a three-part series on The New Mass – the new English translation of the Roman Missal – starts tonight! It all takes place at St Justin Martyr Parish in Unionville at 7:30 PM. See you there!

The readings for today’s Feast of the Apostle Matthew remind us of what the Church is (a hospital for sinners), and what it does (mission).  As to the former, in the Gospel from Matt 9, Jesus reminds us of  “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do…I did not come […]

Today Pope Benedict capped his monumental visit to the UK by beatifying Cardinal Newman, who has been a hero of mine since I discovered him around the time of my re-version in 2004. Back then, I was a cradle Catholic who had become a Protestant pastor, and was being convinced (against my will!) of the […]

One of the optional Gospel readings for today’s feast comes from the Fourth Gospel – John 19:25-27: Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved he said to his mother, “Woman, […]

Today we celebrate the Nativity of our Blessed Mother, nine months after the Feast of her Immaculate Conception on December 8. There are only three persons whose births are celebrated with a liturgical feast in the Catholic Church: Jesus himself (of course), Mary, and John the Baptist.  Today’s Gospel reading from Matthew 1 about the […]

The latest edition of the Catholic Register has a new story about how apps are impacting faith – and yours truly was cited in the article! Here’s the quote: Cale Clarke, co-creator of The New Mass app, believes these faith apps are good for the future of the Church. “I think we have to use […]

The fine folks at Headline Bistro have kindly published my latest article! Check it out, along with the rest of their excellent site, here!

Kris Dmytrenko highlighted The New Mass App on today’s edition of “Perspectives” on Salt and Light TV. Here’s the clip – after talking about a different app for the Tridentine Mass, the mention of The New Mass App begins at the 4:05 mark:

Today is the feast day of St Bartholomew, whom scholars commonly view as being none other than the apostle Nathaniel. Tradition states that following the Ascension, Bartholomew/Nathaniel preached the Gospel in India, and was eventually martyred, being skinned alive. That’s why the saint is portrayed in art as holding his own skin. Here’s John’s account […]

The famous “Church Whisperer”, Rocco Palmo, has verified that the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) have finalized their launch date for the new Mass. The new English translation will be effective in America on the first Sunday of Advent, 2011, just over one year from now. That isn’t much time for the massive educational […]

It is fashionable among New Testament scholars to date the composition of the Gospels in this way: Mark circa 70 AD, Matthew sometime later in the 70s, Luke in the 80s, and John approx. 90 AD (with Jesus’ Resurrection circa 33 AD). Even if they were written this late, they are still the equivalent of […]

Q. I’m going to try once more to show that St Paul says that we don’t really need to obey the Ten Commandments. In Galatians he writes, “Brothers and sisters: We know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ; even we have believed in Christ […]

Q. What’s the other problem with my original question? Do you have an issue with my quoting of St Paul? He did say, after all, “you are not under law, but under grace” (Romans 6). That is sacred scripture, after all! To me, it clearly says that the 10 Commandments aren’t necessarily obligatory for Catholics. […]

Q. Do we, as Catholics, still have to obey the Ten Commandments? After all, we’re not living in the Old Covenant age, but under the New Covenant of Jesus Christ. Even Saint Paul says, “you are not under law, but under grace” (Romans 6:14). And we know that Jesus will forgive us, even if we […]

This Saturday I attended Mass at a different parish, where a priest I didn’t know made an arresting illustration in his homily. He spoke about Archbishop Oscar Romero, who did much to champion the cause of the poor in El Salvador before being assassinated in 1980. Romero was shot while he was elevating the chalice, […]

This is the feast day of St Mary Magdalene, dubbed “Apostle to the Apostles” because of her witness to the doubting (at the time) disciples of the Resurrection of Jesus. Today’s Gospel reading from John 20 reminds us of the initial encounter the Magdalene had with the risen Lord. This very account (along with the […]

In today’s Gospel (Matt 13:1-9), Jesus, because of the massive crowds pressing in on him, has to get into a boat and push off into the water. That’s the only way he’s going to get them to listen – they are forced to stand on the seashore and hear the message of the Kingdom of […]