Last week I was on vacation in Montréal, one of my favorite cities, where I walked a lot, slept a lot, and generally rested up. But what I really appreciated were my visits to Montréal’s many churches, and just staying as long as I wanted to in their silence and stillness. Maybe you’ve been on vacation this summer as well. As we all come back to regular life, here are three ways I thought about while I was away to discover everyday grace refreshing our lives in a new wa...

Back to school. Some of you are probably already sick of that expression. Since midsummer you’ve been bombarded with advertising assuring you that every back-to-school worry can be handled with a credit card. Buy the right notebooks, the right clothes, and the right electronics, and your kid is good to go.For some people it comes as a kind of relief. Summers are difficult to organize, as your child suddenly has a lot of free time that needs to be filled…and you have none. For other ...

Dominic was born in Castile, Spain, in 1170. He was a member of the Guzman family and his mother is Blessed Joan of Aza. When Dominic was seven, he began to go to school. His uncle, a priest, directed his education. After years of study, he became a priest too. Dominic lived a quiet life of prayer and obedience with other holy priests. God had amazing plans for Dominic. He was meant to begin a new religious order. It would be called the Order of Preachers or Dominicans, named afte...

In the days following the celebration of the Fourth of July, the summer settles in. After a school year that has been hectic, and a schedule that probably dictated every minute of your family's day, the summer offers the opportunity to find a different rhythm of life and to enjoy other experiences that will strengthen important values in your life and that of your family.Here are some tips to set a few healthy goals for the next several weeks.1) Nature is a great teacher for the summer. Take...

James was a fisherman like his father Zebedee and his brother John. He was on his father’s boat mending his nets when the Lord passed by. Jesus called each of them, James and John, to become fishers of men, to join him in spreading the Good News. Zebedee watched as his two sons left the boat to follow Jesus.With Saint Peter and Saint John, James was a special companion of Jesus. Along with Saints Peter and John, James was permitted to see what the other apostles did not see. With them...

This very popular saint was born in Portugal in 1195. He was baptized “Ferdinand.” He received an excellent education from the Augustinian friars and joined the order. When he was twenty-five, his life took an exciting turn. He heard about some Franciscans who had been martyred by the Moors in Morocco. These friars were Saint Berard and companions. We celebrate their feast on January 16. From then on, Ferdinand felt a strong desire to die for Christ. He joined the Franciscans. T...

Most kids love the warm weather and outdoor fun of spring and summer, but not all children enjoy this time of year. The more revealing clothing can make kids uncomfortably aware of their bodies. Body image issues might be aggravated – or brought to light for the first time – during the warmer seasons.Not that negative body image is a part-time problem! Today's kids feel tremendous pressure to be attractive every day. They frequently compare themselves to peers, celebrities, and m...

Dear Friends,This Sunday fourth Sunday after Easter is called Good Shepherd Sunday. Jesus called himself the Good Shepherd.  Do you know what a shepherd is?A shepherd is a person who takes care of a flock of sheep. Being a good shepherd means keeping the sheep safe and sound. That is the most important part of the job. A good shepherd knows each and every one of the sheep in the flock.When I talked to my disciples, I told them I was the Good Shepherd. Why? Because I love and ...

Mother’s Day CardHere’s a pretty card to make for your mom. This way of rolling strips of paper and gluing them to make designs is called “quilling.” It is an art that goes back to the 16th century. Your mom will be thrilled with your quilled card!Here’s what you need: Construction paper Scissors Glue Pencil Ruler Paperclip MarkersHere’s what you do:1. Make the card by folding a piece of construction paper in half two times.2. Choose a color for the inside of ...

May has always been a special time of year in the Church, in Catholic schools, and in the world. Something about the sun coming out and the flowers in full bloom gives us renewed hope in Our Blessed Mother, her holy month, and the promise of summer being closer than it seems. May is the first of two months out of the year when we celebrate Mary and her revered place in the Church family. Students (and hopefully teachers and parents) get excited for the May crowning ceremony, the living rosa...