Category: Faith & Spirit

In 1890, the same year the state of Idaho was admitted to the union, St. Teresa’s Academy was founded by the Sisters of the Holy Cross.  The sisters are still here (at St. Alphonsus’ Hospital) and St. Teresa’s Academy is still here, under a new …

 One of the unspoken rules of behavior is never to say mean things to other people. In extreme, it’s called bullying. It is OK to disagree with someone else’s opinion, but not to criticize them personally. It is uncomfortable, for example, for someone-anyone- calling someone …

We have been fortunate, especially in recent centuries to have had extraordinary men who were popes. In my own lifetime, there have been 7 popes: two have been canonized saints, three are in process leading to become saints; and two of course are still living. …

Note:  Today Father Fraser played a short excerpt of a historical broadcast for us to listen to.  The original broadcast was 47 minutes long.  We heard a couple of minutes.  . . That was the voice of the Emperor Showa, then called Hirohito. It was …

In John’s Gospel, today’s passage divides the two parts of the gospel. It comes at the end of the public ministry of Jesus. These are in effect the last public works of Jesus. There are still 8 more chapters following, but they deal with The …

Today, I want to talk about the birds and the bees. Probably not what you’re thinking. Rather, I’m talking about those animals with feathers and wings, most of whom can fly. And also those insects which are important in pollination and the production of fruits …

Today is the last day of lent. Officially called “Wednesday of Holy Week”, or “Holy Wednesday”, it is also known as “Spy Wednesday”. That is a reference to today’s gospel. Additionally, on the day before the Last Supper, Judas arranged to hand Jesus over to …

Yesterday, the citizens of Israel voted a new Parliament, Kinesset as it is called in Hebrew. The apparent leader, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu won enough seats to form a new coalition government. It also means that there will be no peace agreement with the occupied Palestinians. …

During the Second Vatican Council, there were 2,500 bishops in the world, and they were all permitted to speak, but only for 10 minutes in Latin. During the first session, an elderly bishop from Yugoslavia was speaking. His Latin wasn’t very good and neither was …

My great-great grandmother, Catherine Ennis, was born in Country Armagh, Province of Ulster, in Ireland. It was during the Great Famine when the potato crops failed. Over a million men, women and children died of starvation and another million left the country. Catherine and her …