Understanding the rise in converts

Friends, I made my last appearance for a little while on Morning Air yesterday, to speak with John and Sarah about the suprising increase in new Catholics coming into the church this recent Easter. What a cool topic! You can listen to the audio here.

While this National Catholic Reporter article notes some administrative reasons why the number of new Catholics is increasing - like OCIA (formerly RCIA) programs being scheduled in more convenient ways - ultimately I think it’s down to more spiritual reasons. Specifically, as I state in the interview, people are craving stability and truth at a time when truth itself is treated as subjective. People have a craving for meaning, identity, and purpose, and the secular world just ain’t offering it. And the church is! I also spend some time in the interview talking about what led me back to the church, and why I’ve stayed. Enjoy!

As for the reason I will be taking a break - well, that is discussed in the segment!

See you here in the near-ish future - and if not, have a wonderful summer and a blessed rest of the Easter season.

Two recent radio appearances: JOMO and St. Joseph

I hope that everyone’s Lent has been fruitful, as we now enter Holy Week.

A few weeks ago I joined Morning Air to talk about the joy - not the fear! - of missing out. Listen to that here.

And then the day before his feast day, I spoke with John Morales about St. Joseph, patron of - well, many important things, especially those having to do with family. You can listen here.

A personal note: I will be taking a break from writing and speaking starting next month through, probably, the whole summer. I may occasionally come back here to post on other spiritual goings-ons - we shall see!

Wishing you a festive Easter and beyond!

You’ve Heard of FOMO — But Have You Heard of JOMO?

Friends, I’ve got a new article up at The Grotto Network: You’ve Heard of FOMO — But Have You Heard of JOMO? That’s right - it’s the JOY of missing out!

I will be joining John and the Morning Air team this coming Tuesday, March 5, at 7:20 am eastern to discuss embracing the joy of missing out, and why it’s the perfect attitude to adopt during Lent, as we “give up” pleasures and activities.

As I state in the article, I embraced JOMO during the pandemic after all my usual go-to activities were shut down. What I found was that a simplified life was in many ways wonderful, and cleared my mind and thoughts for quiet that allowed deeper introspection and meaningful prayer, as well as self-knowledge. FOMO is a terrible motivator, but if we’re not careful, that fear of missing out - usually of missing someone else’s expectation for us or not living up to their expectations materially - can really take one down a path filled with regrets. Instead, learn to listen to yourself and do what you want to do, because it is fulfilling. Not what society tells you to do.

More to come on Tuesday. May you have a JOMO Lent!