Faith Alive, No. 17, Part 2: Media literacy skills for Catholics
This meme accompanies Part 2 of Faith Alive! No 17. CNS illustration; photo by Luisa Gonzales, Reuters We are surrounded by electronic mass media. Television news tells us what we…
Faith Alive, No. 16, Part 1: Brief biography of the master artist Raphael
This meme accompanies Part 1 of Faith Alive! No 16. CNS illustration; photo courtesy Vatican Museums This year marks the 500th anniversary of artist Raphael’s death. This painter would glean…
Faith Alive, No. 16, Part 2: A master visual catechist: Raphael and the Italian High Renaissance
When Raffaello di Giovanni Santi (or Sanzio), known to his friends and the world as Raphael, completed his masterpiece tondo titled "The Alba Madonna" in 1510 he was at the…
This meme accompanies Part 1 of Faith Alive! No 15. (CNS illustration; photo by Jerry L Mennenga) See FAITH-ALIVE 15 March 5, 2020.
Faith Alive, No. 15, Part 1: Easter begins in a night of light and hope
This meme accompanies Part 1 of Faith Alive! No 15. CNS illustration; photo by Jerry L Mennenga "This is the night," the church sings out again and again in a…
The risen Christ is depicted in a stained-glass window at St. Aloysius Church in Great Neck, N.Y. If Lent is a time for reflection, service and sacrifice, and drawing closer to God, Easter follows with a stunningly wonderful message of joy and love. (CNS photo/Gregory A. Shemitz) See FAITH-ALIVE 15 March 5, 2020.
No. 15, Part 2: He makes all things new
The risen Christ is depicted in a stained-glass window at St. Aloysius Church in Great Neck, N.Y. If Lent is a time for reflection, service and sacrifice, and drawing closer…
A re-enactment of the crucifixion of Jesus is seen in Bensheim, Germany. As St. Paul writes, Jesus was "obedient to death, even death on a cross." (CNS photo/Kai Pfaffenbach, Reuters) See FAITH-ALIVE 14 Feb. 27, 2020.
No. 14, Part 1: Palm Sunday — ‘obedient to death’
A re-enactment of the crucifixion of Jesus is seen in Bensheim, Germany. As St. Paul writes, Jesus was "obedient to death, even death on a cross." CNS photo/Kai Pfaffenbach, Reuters…
No. 14, Part 2: Palms — a symbol of peace — become a holy sacramental through Lent cycle
https://youtu.be/DtjiQLQiSVk What would a Palm Sunday procession or Mass be without the presence of its namesake -- the palm? The palm branch represents victory and peace during the Lenten journey…
Worshippers join hands during the Our Father. Sunday Mass offers us several reminders on the importance of forgiveness, such as during the Our Father. (CNS photo/Jim West) See FAITH-ALIVE 13 Feb. 20, 2020.
No. 13, Part 1: Forgiveness for the ‘stiff-necked,’ and for (and from) us all
https://youtu.be/fzp9mr5rKkw Forgiveness -- both seeking and offering it -- is one of the great challenges of our Catholic faith. But it is also among its greatest treasures. In some respects,…
An image of Jesus in death is seen behind a crown of thorns and a crucifix in a display on the Shroud of Turin in the Church of San Lorenzo in Turin, Italy. This Lent, seek new opportunities to remove old thorns from past wounds. (CNS photo/Paul Haring) See FAITH-ALIVE 13 Feb. 20, 2020.
No. 13, Part 2: The healing power of forgiveness
https://youtu.be/fzp9mr5rKkw When I was 17 years old, I bumped into a bush and lodged a thorn in my elbow muscle. I pulled the thorn out, cleaned the wound with alcohol…
Volunteers serve breakfast to the needy at a shelter in Mount Clemens, Mich. Almsgiving does not have to take the form of financial alms. There are many ways to be generous toward others that do not require excess in your bank account. (CNS photo/Jim West) See FAITH-ALIVE 12 Feb. 13, 2020.
No. 12, Part 1: Almsgiving’s call to generosity beyond dollar signs
https://youtu.be/LlP8Gm7vNsU A traditional way to approach the Lenten practice of almsgiving is to give from the excess that you create by fasting. For example, according to Catholic Relief Services, you…
