Those of us who are sports fans to any degree have been there. We might have been in a large stadium watching our favorite college or professional team play. Maybe we were in a school gym, parking lot or at a football field for a child’s CYO game. Or we might simply have been sitting on a couch at home following a big game on TV.

Those of us who are sports fans to any degree have been there. We might have been in a large stadium watching our favorite college or professional team play. Maybe we were in a school gym, parking lot or at a football field for a child’s CYO game. Or we might simply have been sitting on a couch at home following a big game on TV.

Eleven doctors of the Church were active in ministry in the fourth century, nearly 30% of the 38 people given that special title.

The birth of our Savior at Christmas is a profound mystery that is ultimately impossible for our minds to take in. How is that God, who is infinite and all-powerful, who is being itself pervading and undergirding all time and space, the source of all that was, is and ever will be, could be born as a tiny baby in a stable in a small backwater town of the Roman Empire?

The birth of our Savior at Christmas is a profound mystery that is ultimately impossible for our minds to take in. How is that God, who is infinite and all-powerful, who is being itself pervading and undergirding all time and space, the source of all that was, is and ever will be, could be born as a tiny baby in a stable in a small backwater town of the Roman Empire?

Although he is the doctor of the Church who goes back farthest in Church history, St. Irenaeus of Lyons is one of the most recent saints to be given this title. He is thought to have been born between the years 120 and 130 in present-day Turkey and died as a martyr in present-day Lyons, France, around 202. But he was only named a doctor of the Church in 2022 by Pope Francis. The Church celebrates his feast on June 28.

“You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, to give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins” (Lk 1:76-77).

“You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, to give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins” (Lk 1:76-77).

On Nov. 1, Pope Leo XIV named St. John Henry Newman the newest doctor of the Church. The designation was made in response to requests following his canonization in 2019 made by groups of bishops around the world, including the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

As a student and lover of Church history going back to my grade school days, All Saints’ Day has always been a favorite feast of mine. It’s a day to celebrate the entire history of the Church with all the richness of the stories of its holy men and women and the variety of times, places and cultures in which they lived and shared the Gospel.

As a student and lover of Church history going back to my grade school days, All Saints’ Day has always been a favorite feast of mine. It’s a day to celebrate the entire history of the Church with all the richness of the stories of its holy men and women and the variety of times, places and cultures in which they lived and shared the Gospel.

Catholic schools across central and southern Indiana are now well into their new academic year. My wife Cindy and I are now old enough as parents that we only have our two youngest sons still in school. But although Catholic schools may not play as large a role in our family’s life as it did when all five of our boys were students at the same time, our appreciation of the help they offer us as parents has only increased through the years.

Catholic schools across central and southern Indiana are now well into their new academic year. My wife Cindy and I are now old enough as parents that we only have our two youngest sons still in school. But although Catholic schools may not play as large a role in our family’s life as it did when all five of our boys were students at the same time, our appreciation of the help they offer us as parents has only increased through the years.

My mother-in-law Edith Lecher prayed the rosary every day for years. Sometimes, she did this at her home with her husband Steve. She often led it before Mass at St. John the Evangelist Church in Enochsburg, a campus of St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Decatur County. Steve and Edie, as she was commonly known, also prayed the rosary often during their frequent trips to visit their 11 children, 33 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

My mother-in-law Edith Lecher prayed the rosary every day for years. Sometimes, she did this at her home with her husband Steve. She often led it before Mass at St. John the Evangelist Church in Enochsburg, a campus of St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Decatur County. Steve and Edie, as she was commonly known, also prayed the rosary often during their frequent trips to visit their 11 children, 33 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

My grandparents were a big part of my life when I was growing up. I was the youngest grandchild on both sides of the family and by some years. So, when I got to spend time with them, I usually had them all to myself.

My grandparents were a big part of my life when I was growing up. I was the youngest grandchild on both sides of the family and by some years. So, when I got to spend time with them, I usually had them all to myself.

In life on this side of eternity, nothing stays the same. There are always comings and goings. That is true for the world as a whole, including families. They start with a man and woman meeting, falling in love and discerning that God is calling them to marriage.

In life on this side of eternity, nothing stays the same. There are always comings and goings. That is true for the world as a whole, including families. They start with a man and woman meeting, falling in love and discerning that God is calling them to marriage.

I was a young adult on my own 30 years ago when the Indiana Pacers had legendary playoff games against the New York Knicks. In many of them, Reggie Miller made unbelievable late-game shots to lead the Blue and Gold to amazing comeback wins in New York’s Madison Square Garden (MSG).