Bishop Joseph E. Strickland: The German Bishops Error and the True Understanding of the Development of Doctrine

Bishop Joseph E. Strickland: The German Bishops Error and the True Understanding of the Development of Doctrine

“The time is sure to come when people will not accept sound teaching, but their ears will be itching for anything new and they will collect themselves a whole series of teachers according to their own tastes; and then they will shut their ears to the truth…” (2 Tim. 3:4,5) The Apostle Paul issued that…

Manifesto of Faith

Manifesto of Faith

“Let not your heart be troubled!” (John 14:1) In the face of growing confusion about the doctrine of the Faith, many bishops, priests, religious and lay people of the Catholic Church have requested that I make a public testimony about the truth of revelation. It is the shepherds’ very own task to guide those entrusted…

John Henry Newman on Abuse of Power

John Henry Newman on Abuse of Power

The nineteenth-century churchman John Henry Newman has shaped many of my views and how to apply them. With the credit of a second miracle to his intercession, it is likely that he will be canonized in short order. Our culture as a whole is conflicted about the course of events and moral failing in dealing…

Priorities and a Life Filled with Meaning

Priorities and a Life Filled with Meaning

This is the second half of a talk I gave to the Catholic Business Leaders Breakfast at Sacred Heart Parish on October 9th , 2009.  The first part of the talk was on my conversion into the Catholic Church in 2006 with my wife and sons after I spent 23 years in the “spiritual wilderness”—a…

The Most Reverend Cirilo Flores: The Most Recent in Apostolic Succession

The Most Reverend Cirilo Flores: The Most Recent in Apostolic Succession

Mark McElrath, vice president of the clothing manufacturer DaRue of California, gives a gripping first-hand account of a rarely seen event in the United States, namely, the ordination of a bishop, the newly ordained Bishop Cirilo Flores (pictured above).. —ed. Since the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descended upon those gathered in the…

A Recession Antidote

A Recession Antidote

 I went to the Sacrament of Reconciliation a few days ago with a lot on my mind.  I have been weighted down for the last few months with work stress, concerns about money and a myriad of other issues big and small.  As I went through my examination of conscience, I couldn’t get past the…

Expanding Our Hearts

Expanding Our Hearts

In these difficult times, it can be very challenging to think of others and not just ourselves. Our personal struggles often keep our focus inward and not outward towards our brothers and sisters in Christ.  If these words resonate with you, I would like to provide some encouragement to break out of this inward focus…

Surrogate Gods, Surrogate Parents

Surrogate Gods, Surrogate Parents

It is a gross understatement to say that we live in very trying times.  Our country is at war, our economy is a mess, atheists are one of the fastest growing groups in our country and our families are under siege.  My intent is not to depress you, but get your attention on the reality…

Becoming a Light for Christ…at Work

Becoming a Light for Christ…at Work

“You are the salt of the earth.  You are the light of the world.  A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden.  Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.” -Matthew 5:13-14 and 16. Most of us spend the majority of our…

A Journey in Prayer

A Journey in Prayer

Before I began my RCIA classes in the Fall of 2006, I studied the Catholic faith in earnest.  I tend to intellectualize everything and my first thoughts were to learn everything I could about our faith.  I quickly realized there was more to our wonderful Faith than knowledge, history and tradition!  I then began to…