Lent offers us all a very special opportunity to grow in our relationship with God and to deepen our commitment to a Catholic way of life, rooted in our baptism and strengthened by our confirmation. In our busy world, Lent provides us with an opportunity to reflect upon our habits (good and bad), to pray more deeply, experience sorrow for what we've done and failed to do, and to be generous to those in need. Focusing on the last of these, alms giving, may be one of the easiest ways you can start a new good habit. Numerous restaurants have teamed up with charities. Frequently you enter and notice they have various shapes taped up on their walls with names of all types written across the shape. Usually the shape represents someone giving a designated amount for the charity. So the next time you see one of these opportunities, pray to God and ask if it is the right place for you to give alms. You do want to be conscience of what types of activities the charity is supporting, so do not blindly give. Once you begin to give of yourself in this way, God will open new avenues to your heart and you will begin to see the world as a different place. As we continue to pray lent, I hope that the Holy Spirit is working within you to make the proper preparation for the Easter celebration.
The release of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith’s note, Mater Populi Fidelis , on November 4, 2025, seems to have sparked some immediate and widespread confusion, driven largely by sensationalist headlines from secular sources. In response to requests, particularly surrounding a potential Fifth Marian Dogma of Spiritual Maternity , the DDF addressed the usage of titles like Co-redemptrix and Mediatrix. Unfortunately, this has led to a large contingent online and in the media claiming that the Church has "tossed out" centuries of doctrine, with some outside the Church even proclaiming a "victory" over Catholic teaching (This may be the saddest part of it all, that we as Christians, are "competing" with each other). It is essential to understand that this doctrinal note is fundamentally about titles and clarity, not doctrine and change according to the Vatican News. The true teachings regarding Mary's unique role in salvation remain inviolabl...