It is difficult, in a world in which the news cycle rolls over seemingly every twenty minutes, to comment on all the significant things that happen in the world and in the Church before they become old news. But as we have the opportunity to celebrate All Saint’s Day on a Sunday this year, it’s worth taking a moment to reflect on the recent news story on Pope Francis and his comments on civil unions and place it within the context of the entire history of the Church, because, to a certain degree, that’s what All Saint’s Day is about. Click title for full column.

There’s an old adage that Cincinnati is the only place where when people ask you “Where did you go to school?” they mean high school, not college. I have found this to be true, and unfortunately it frequently runs me headlong into an uncomfortable catch-22 surrounding my educational background. Many people ask me if I went to LaSalle because I’m always wearing their gear. Others assume I am a Roger Bacon man because of my St. Bernard origins. In reality, I am a proud son of Covington Latin, having thoroughly inconvenienced my parents by going to school not just across town, but out of state. When people discover this, the response is, almost inevitably, something along the lines of “Oh, so you’re a super-genius then?” Click on title for full column.

Because of the numerous times I have mentioned the FOCUS Mission (www.focus.org) going down to Mexico City that I was blessed to serve as chaplain on, I figured I’d be kind and share some pictures and give some more context. With a gaggle of university students and three FOCUS missionaries, we all flew down to Mexico City and met Craig, the founder of Hope of the Poor (www.hopeofthepoor.org). I still message him often to check in, and we can give thanks that he was able to return to the poor in in September. Click title for full column.

There are a number of people in the scriptures who, by all accounts, get a pretty raw deal. Job is the first name that comes to mind. Uriah, Bathsheba’s husband, certainly deserved better. Some people sympathize with the older brother in the parable of the prodigal son. But the wedding guest in today’s Gospel who unexpectedly gets invited to the party and is then unceremoniously thrown out into the outer darkness might take the cake. Sure, it’s just a parable, but how can you drag someone into a party at the eleventh hour and then get angry at him for being underdressed? Click title for full column.

The coaches, teachers, and leaders who have made the biggest difference in my life are, without exception, the ones who have communicated clear expectations and held me to a high standard. I will never forget the extra running I had to do because I refused to practice fundamentals in the exchange between glove and throwing hand. I loathed my high school English teachers for both the number of papers and the stringency with which they were graded at the time, but there is no doubt that it made my college career easier. (If you’re reading this, Mr. Krebs, Mr. Langlitz, Dr. Carroll, or Mr. Goldfuss, no hard feelings.) Even my seminary formation was enriched by the priests and professors who really pushed me. All of it speaks to the importance of calling one another to great heights, even if it seems unnecessary or harsh at the time. Click title for full column.