Eric McArdle

In a misguided effort to increase financial giving, many parishes have a stewardship section in their bulletins that only has detailed information on — you guessed it — the parish finances. Below is a prime example I recently came across. This “stewardship” report, unfortunately, is typical in parishes throughout the country. So, if this example […]

From where does your faith education and formation come? Maybe it’s from listening attentively to the homily at Mass each week. Maybe it’s from reading about the lives of the saints. Or, maybe it’s by participating in a prayer group. Whatever you do to enrich your faith formation and to draw closer to Christ, it’s […]

I recently ran across a parish’s stewardship council mission statement that read as follows: “The primary mission of the Stewardship Ministry is to promote parishioner involvement of Time, Talent, and Treasure to serve the needs of the parish.” This is possibly one of the worst mission statements for any stewardship effort I have ever seen, […]

Everyone has good days and bad days. It’s a part of the natural cycle and rhythm of life. When things are difficult and when daily burdens become chronic, however, it can be easy to lose faith and stray from our path of discipleship. When we become “lost,” we lose hope and sometimes allow bitterness and […]

On this Holy Thursday, I’ve included a link to Pope Francis’ homily at his first Chrism Mass that was celebrated at St. Peter’s in Rome earlier today. His focus is on what makes a “good” priest and calls on us, the laity, to pray for our priests. Excellent stuff. To read the full text of […]

Most Catholics who regularly attend Mass at U.S. Catholic churches say their overall satisfaction with their parish is “good” or “excellent.” This is just one of the key findings generated from a series of surveys of Catholics conducted in-pew during Mass by The Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) at Georgetown University in […]

When we have a secret, we are careful with whom we share the information, making certain that we can trust the individual before divulging the secret. Trust is an important virtue. And, to be deemed trustworthy is an honor, and is a quality everyone should try to attain. God gives us that opportunity. Each of […]

According to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, Americans are thirsting for Christ. At the Opening Mass of the International Congress on the Church in America this past December, Benedict XVI urged all Catholics to devote themselves, without reserve, to proclaiming the name of Christ throughout America, bringing it freely and enthusiastically to the hearts of all […]

Airline travel seems to be getting more and more difficult these days. We have to be mindful of the clothes we wear, as well as what and how we pack so that we’re not delayed as we go through the security checkpoints at the airport. These days, the smart and seasoned traveler knows the best […]