I made it on the radio!

Guys, really exciting stuff. My segment with Relevant Radio's Morning Air program was a smashing success, not to mention WAY FUN, and my original Advent article, which started this whole thing, now has 344 shares on Facebook (and counting). Hot dog!!

Here's the link. My portion runs from about 44:41 to 51:47:

http://relevantradio.streamguys.us/MA%20Archive/MA20161128a.mp3

As my portion ended and Cyrus, the producer, came back on the line, he said, "You rock!" and I said, "That was so fun! And I want to come back on!" We have promised to keep in touch, so - you may just yet hear me again on the golden airwaves!

I hope everyone's Advent is off to a wonderful start!

Listen to me on the radio!

I have a very exciting update: 

A producer at Relevant Radio saw my recently-published article, "5 Ways to Make the Most of Advent" and invited me to speak on the Morning Air program this coming Monday (11/28) at 7:45 AM eastern time! We'll be talking about the grace and traditions of this beautiful time of year.

You can listen live here: https://relevantradio.com/stream/

You can learn more about Relevant Radio and the program here and read all my articles for Catholic Stand here. I am VERY excited for this, and can't wait to have a conversation about this special time of year with a community of fellow Catholics. 

What else is going on? Well, as mentioned in my article, Advent is just around the corner! It is my favorite liturgical season. I receive Bishop Robert Barron's daily Gospel reflection and was struck this morning by this phrase: "During any of these processes [like Advent], the very worst thing one could do would be to pick at it, to force it, to make it operate according to his private timetable. So Jesus calls us to “be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength…to stand before the Son of Man.” Advent, then is an opportunity to strengthen ourselves to "stand before the Son of Man." Through prayer, good works, introspection and - most of all - demonstrating love. Both the smallest and the largest demonstrations of love are equally important to God, so whatever you have, and whatever you can do - even if it feels too small to count - matters. And that's a beautiful thing!

A couple other things: this weekend I am going to the St. Thomas More exhibit at the John Paul II Shrine. There they will show the movie "A Man for All Seasons," followed by discussion. I don't know much about St. Thomas More, other than what I read a while ago in a Matthew Kelly book; he emphasized More's willingness to stand up for what he believed in (and which resulted in his martyrdom). That is a sort of moral courage that is especially tough these days. Also, I just like any excuse to visit the JP II shrine.

And lastly: I plan on doing the Pray More Novenas Retreat, which is perfect because a.) it'll have great content and b.) you don't even have to leave your house (nay, nor your computer) to do it. There is technically also no cost, though a donation is encouraged. I just love this ministry because it is so simple and to the point, and a retreat is bound to be the same. Go support John-Paul and Annie!

Wishing you a very happy Thanksgiving and an excellent start to the Advent and Christmas season. 

Catching Up

In the past couple months I have written a few articles:

Krakow in the Capital: World Youth Day Comes to DC. At the end of July I attended a big WYD event here in DC, at Catholic U. That article doesn't do it justice, for what a wonderfully moving event it was, and how connected I felt to all the other pilgrims, across the world. 

Lessons From Prison Ministry. In August I stepped back from this ministry, as well as an active role in the Legion of Mary, but before I left the ministry behind, I wanted to record some observations on what made the experience so moving. I still pray for those inmates, and I hope they pray for me, too.

Five Ways to Live Like St. Luke. This was published on St. Luke's feast day, and I read his biography, Dear and Glorious Physician, earlier this year. I also got help from my Dominican friends in brainstorming ways we can emulate the "beloved Physician." But most exciting, it was picked up and shared by Angelus News and received over 200 shares on Facebook - good stuff!

My next article will be about - the crooked path to sainthood? How to make the most out of Advent? A profile on a very special nun I know? We shall see!

Other things going on: in the past week we've had the feast of St. Jude (hopeless causes - as if we don't need all the help we can get with our own personal hopeless causes); All Saints Day and (today) All Souls Day. It really is the case that "special" days happen all the time, if we look for them. I pray you are remembering your loved ones and all the saints known and unknown as we look toward the Christmas season.