Catholic Watchmen

Rallying for truth begins at home

Being astute in Catholic leadership is vital for parents nowadays. The need also presents significant challenges when it comes to perusing, discerning and choosing what is intellectually healthy and of redeeming value for children.

Archdiocesan Synod draws questions — and answers

Given the creation of parish-based Synod Evangelization Teams across the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, and the related May 20 Activated Disciple Seminar that drew more than 1,500 people to Minneapolis, I’m running into a good number of the faithful who are seeking to better understand what’s going on.

To whom shall we go?

More than 5,300 pilgrims traveled with the same mind and spirit May 6 on the 10th annual “Walk to Mary” in eastern Wisconsin.

Living the joy of Easter

Reminding myself to live in the joy of Easter throughout the year may sound like a lofty sentiment and a daunting quest. Yet we are in Eastertide — giving me plenty of opportunity keep that attitude alive and create the fruitful habit of proclaiming the Gospel message of Easter joy at every opportunity God presents me.

Sharing divine truth

Going through The Catechism in a Year podcast — thank you, Father Mike Schmitz — has been a fun and helpful daily activity for my wife (my best friend) and me, keeping both of us centered on what is true as taught by the Church through sacred Scripture and tradition.

Integrating the Lenten trifecta

The Lenten trifecta of fasting, prayer and almsgiving can lead to peace, solace and absolution through personal conversion and self-sacrifice — through love of God and love of neighbor.

Archdiocesan Men’s Conference is returning March 18

Better to bear the trials and tribulations of life as crosses with a support system, rather than go it alone, and to celebrate triumphs in unity. While the pandemic curtailed many activities, including the annual Archdiocesan Men’s gathering, the conference is returning after a three-year hiatus.

Sanctifying power of small group fellowship

Reading and discerning through Archbishop Hebda’s post-synodal pastoral letter to the faithful and how it necessitates “walking together” (synodos) via small group fellowship truly goes in lockstep with our Catholic Watchmen movement. I’m sure that many Christo-centric ministries, apostolates, guilds and gatherings — formal or informal — would agree and find that regular small group engagement has the power to sanctify, strengthen and solidify members or participants.

Jesus dwells with and within us

Resonating in our hearts to remind us of the joy of the coming season, the supernatural and natural forces of faith and reason dwell within us — as we prepare to celebrate that “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (Jn 1:14).

Serve like the saints — and with them

We go to the saints like we do our friends and family, so we do not have to be loners when it comes to living the faith as God calls us — to teach, provide, protect and lead. Those holy men and women whom we celebrate come the first of November — the solemnity of All Saints —compel us to emulate their example, giving us ways and means to answer the call to serve others diligently and prayerfully.

Timeless treasure of the rosary

The month of the most holy rosary comes upon us in October to remind and refresh us — body and soul— that the prayer time we devote in honor of the Blessed Mother is a timeless treasure. To help keep us in the love of Christ, protect us from the evil of the world and lead us to the safe haven of the heart of God — this most powerful prayer we pray with the most powerful woman in the world is for all Christians.

A good beginning, lasting forever

“In the beginning” we are all children of God, created in his image and likeness, and perhaps that’s a good place to start teaching our children divine truth. Parents best determine the timeline of learning, as they have the privileged right and difficult responsibility to be the best teachers and spiritual leaders to their children.
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