Light for the World through Media
Is Pope Francis a modern-day Jonah returning to Nineveh?
Last Friday, February 26, Salt + Light Media aired the first of a series of broadcasts related to Pope Francis' imminent apostolic visit to Iraq. In this first episode, "Pope Francis' Apostolic Visit to Iraq: The Cradle of Civilization", Deacon Pedro Guevara-Mann interviewed Bishop Bawai Soro, Chaldean Bishop of Canada, and Msgr. Peter Vaccari, President of Catholic Near East Welfare Association: … read more
A candle in Germany | Everyday Miracles
When I was 13 years old, I went to Ottmaring, Germany, for an international youth event. At one point, we took a break from our scheduled activities to tour the city. We separated into smaller groups, with my own group making its way to a cathedral. Once we arrived, out of joy for the transformative events I had lived over the last days, I decided to go right to a pew and pray. I began, … read more
The pope and the ayatollah
It is fairly safe to assume that the name Ali al-Husayni al-Sistani (pronounced, as-sistani) is not recognized by most people in Europe and the Western Hemisphere. I suspect the first time most people heard the name it was in connection with Pope Francis’ trip to Iraq next month; the two men are scheduled to meet. However, any U.S. military or political leader engaged in Iraq after the ill-advised … read more
Deacon-structing St. Teresa’s Stages of Prayer, Part 2
Last week, we learned a bit about one of the Doctors of the Church, St. Teresa of Avila, and what she has to say about prayer. I explained how I related to her four stages of prayer in my own prayer life. I hope that it made sense to you, too. I first heard about St. Teresa’s stages of prayer during a class with Discalced Carmelite Fr. Dominic Borg, OCD. Fr. Dominic described St. Teresa of … read more
Multimedia Extravaganza!
This week on the SLHour, we learn about a Catholic multimedia extravaganza and hear how Array of Hope shares the beauty and truth of the Catholic faith through media and events. Danny Torchia returns to give us another tip in rearing rebels, Billy has a question about setting up prayer corners in Church for Dummies, and we listen to great music from Array of Hope! Email us your comments, find … read more
Letting go of God’s gifts | Word Alive
Letting go of God's gifts A reflection for the Second Sunday of Lent, Year B by Fr. Peter Skudra Dear friends, warm greetings from Latvia! I am happy and privileged to share the Word of God with you for this Second Sunday of Lent. We have just entered this sacred time of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. In prayer we meet God who loves us, with fasting we respond to God’s … read more
Lent in the digital age
This year, in his Ash Wednesday homily, the pope said something very evocative: "The journey of Lent is an exodus, an exodus from slavery to freedom." What kind of slavery does he mean? The answer lies with certain hidden servitudes, certain subtle trends of our times that affect us all to some degree. If the digital age has brought great progress, it has also had dire consequences for our contact … read more
Becoming the Church we need this Lent: The Field Hospital in today’s Battlefield
Lent can sometimes be seen as a time to grind our teeth to stick to our fasting resolutions, or giving things up as a path to discipline and self-improvement, maybe even weight loss! In reality, Lent is about attuning ourselves to God, in our bodies and our souls, so that we can welcome the life He offers us in the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus. Each of us finds different ways of … read more
My first novena with St. Therese | Everyday Miracles
The first time I really allowed myself to hear God’s voice was through St. Therese of Lisieux. To make a long story short, I was living a life away from God — doing things I never thought I would do, seeking after worldly pleasures and validation in all the wrong places. Eventually, I reached my lowest point. I realized I couldn’t continue on this path anymore. I felt such deep hopelessness, … read more
How can I become an ecumenist? | One Body
Sometimes people ask me, “How did you become an ecumenist?” I try to answer their curiosity with some honesty, but like most people, my own vocational path was only apparent looking back. Once in a while, someone asks, “How can I become an ecumenist?” The simple answer is that all Christians are called to work for the unity of Christ’s church, so becoming an ecumenist is as simple as saying “Amen” … read more
Pope Francis’ visit to Iraq: The courage of dialogue and peace
From March 5 to 8, Pope Francis will travel to Iraq for an apostolic journey. Described by many as an historic event, the pope's presence in circumstances of pandemic and political instability should not surprise us. Since the beginning of his pontificate, the Holy Father has never ceased to give us examples of fidelity to the bold breath of the Spirit. Thus, whether by the witness of his … read more
Deacon-structing St. Teresa’s Stages of Prayer, Part 1
Last week, I suggested that a good thing to do to help us enter deeper into the mystery of the Church and to get closer to Christ is to participate in spiritual reading. I say “participate” rather than just “read” because the act of spiritual reading is more a prayer experience than merely reading a good text. When we engage in spiritual reading, we are engaging with the life of the Church, the … read more
Helping Parishioners With Their Mental Health
One in four people is affected by mental health issues. This week, we speak with Daniel Whitehead of Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries about how churches can support parishioners who are struggling. Also, Sr. Marie-Paul Curley, FSP, gives us the windows to the soul to a few films to start our Lenten movie watching; Billy has another question in Church for Dummies; and we meet singer/songwriter … read more
40 days | Word Alive
40 days A reflection for the First Sunday of Lent, Year B by Brett Salkeld Catholics know that 40 is an important number in Scripture. It rained for 40 days and 40 nights leading to Noah’s flood. Israel was 40 years in the desert after the flight from Egypt. Jesus was in the desert for 40 days before beginning his public ministry. And Jesus spent 40 days after the Resurrection with … read more
What should I fast from this Lent?
Lent is a time for spiritual renewal, a season of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving. We quiet ourselves and our wants and desires in order to amplify God. Fasting, or abstinence from something, marks this liturgical season in a notable way. We fast to remind ourselves of how much we depend on God. So often we fill our lives with distractions, comforts, cushions, and escapes — Lent is a time … read more
How to say “Yes, Lord!” this Lenten season
The Lenten season is upon us, and in this time of year it can be tempting to hear and see the word “NO!” everywhere we go. After all, this liturgical season calls us to align our sufferings with Christ, from His 40 days in the desert all the way to His passion, suffering, and death on the cross. “No” seems fitting for the occasion, given that the word often alludes to a sense of suffering. No … read more
Pope Francis’ homily for Ash Wednesday 2021
Homily of His Holiness Pope Francis Ash Wednesday 17 February 2021 We are now embarking on our Lenten journey, which opens with the words of the prophet Joel. They point out the path we are to follow. We hear an invitation that arises from the heart of God, who with open arms and longing eyes pleads with us: “Return to me with all your heart” (Joel 2:12). Return to me. Lent is a … read more
Shoelaces | Everyday Miracles
One day, while on the bus in Port Credit, I encountered a man and his two young daughters. The young girls immediately gravitated towards me, and we chatted the whole ride. Several minutes later, my stop arrived. As I was getting off the bus, I noticed that the shoelaces of the youngest were undone. “Oh sweetie,” I called over, “I wish I had seen that your laces are undone. I would have tied … read more