Faith & Culture

The saint-in-the-making was known for his faithful love for his family — a love that sacrificed himself to save his son with Down Syndrome — and now gives a powerful example for fathers and families worldwide. Thomas Vander Woude (Photo: Courtesy of Christendom College) At times, the stories of the saints can seem so ancient that there is a danger we will consider them too different from us, cut from a different cloth, as it were. It can be easy to think of the saints as ancient mythological...

(Photo: Pexels) By the Wheaton Agency In the quiet basement of St. Mary’s Church in New Haven, Connecticut, a young parish priest named Father Michael McGivney faced a heartbreaking reality. Widows, newly bereaved, would knock on his door, desperate for help. Their husbands — often the sole breadwinners — had died unexpectedly, leaving families not only in grief but in financial ruin. Children were at risk of being sent to orphanages. The Church, stretched thin, could only do so much. Father...

How faithful preparation can bring peace to life’s final chapter (Photo: Unsplash) By Carla D. Little As Catholics, we know this life is not our final home. We are pilgrims journeying toward eternal life. But as we walk this path, we are called to be good stewards not only of our resources but also of the responsibilities entrusted to us, especially in life’s final chapters. While many aspects of the end of life are outside our control, one meaningful step we can take is to prepare an estate...

While searching for control and connection, those who practice New Age spirituality — from tarot to Reiki, from manifestation to astrology — are led astray, into anxiety, depression and conflict. (Photo: Adobe Stock) By Cecilia Dietzler Across the Western world, New Age spirituality has seen a dramatic rise. From meditation apps to hair salons offering Reiki treatments, it seems to be a constant in our society. Yet, beneath the aesthetic appeal and trendy buzzwords, these practices carry real...

(Photo courtesy of St. Joseph Catholic School, Fort Collins) Halloween snuck up on you? Don’t panic — you can still show up with a costume that’s clever, holy and just the right amount of funny. Whether you’re going for divine inspiration or a blessed dad joke, here are five easy ideas you can throw together in minutes.  1. The Holy Ghost  What you need:  White sheet (ghost-style), cross necklace or taped-on paper cross, maybe a Bible as a prop. Congratulations — you’re officially filled with...

(Photo: Adobe Stock) By Dr. Angela Wall Licensed Clinical & School Psychologist St. Raphael Counseling, a ministry of Catholic Charities As parents and grandparents of children in 2025, we face many unique challenges strikingly different from past generations. The one thing we do have in common is our love for our children and our faith in God. We treasure our families and cherish the time we have together. We value the beauty and innocence of childhood. God's light shines on our families as...

The stigmata of St. Francis reminds the faithful that holiness is not about perfection, but about love so complete that it bears the marks of Christ. St Francis Receiving the Stigmata by Unknown Artist (The Master of Cross 434), c. 1240-1250. Uffizi Gallery, Florence, Italy. (Photo by Elizabeth Zelasko) We are truly rich in the lives of the saints, yet I would argue that few can rival Francis of Assisi. Called by Christ from a life of comfort and privilege, he became a living witness of...

(Photo: Lightstock) The American holiday calendar is surprisingly rich with Catholic traditions — St. Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, All Hallows Eve, Christmas and Easter. All of them, however, have taken on a life of their own, shaped by American consumerism, and often bear little resemblance to their Catholic origins. Halloween, in particular, has drawn elements from the celebration of All Souls Day and various pagan traditions, especially the Celtic festival of Samhain, which marked...

(Photo: Adobe Stock) By Dr. Albert Pace Clinical Director St. Raphael Counseling, a ministry of Catholic Charities Many Catholics worry about taking medication for mental health concerns. This concern has only increased in recent years, as distrust of the pharmaceutical industry has grown. While the topic of psychiatric medication is very broad, there are several common concerns that Catholics express when this conversation arises in therapy. Common Concern 1: Fear of Over-Reliance on...

(Photo: Adobe Stock) By Pedro Pablo St. Raphael Counseling, a ministry of Catholic Charities Many of us live day by day, only focused on the next thing: the next bill, the next paycheck, the next event. We often live merely to survive, with no time to think about other aspects of life. Sometimes, our only focus is on the physical needs. It’s a way of life that is understandable, but it overlooks the spiritual, interpersonal, community and psychological needs that we all have. I say “needs”...

(Photo: Adobe Stock) By Mark Sanders, LPC CAS Marketing and Operations Coordinator St. Raphael Counseling, a ministry of Catholic Charities When I began my career 25 years ago, one of the biggest obstacles was the stigma around seeking professional help. Many believed it was “weak” to ask for help, so they went without the support that could have made a difference. Catholics, in particular, often hesitated, unsure about working with a therapist who might not share their faith or worldview....

Photo by Sandy Millar on Unsplash Nineteen years ago, Deacon David Simonton and his wife Gail experienced what David called a “seismic, life-altering event.” At an ultrasound appointment, their 18-week-old baby in utero had no heartbeat.  “No heartbeat. No movement. Our baby had died,” Deacon Simonton told the Denver Catholic in an email interview. “…in an instant, an expectant mom and dad’s worst fear became a reality.” It was not the first, nor the last time, the Simontons would experience...