I am caught off guard by at least six or seven days/seasons every year. I’m inevitably stunned that Christmas is upon us, despite its constant presence on the calendar. I have never once been prepared for the onslaught of snow. The only day that I seem to see coming every year is what I call “Baseball Day,” which is the first day that the world smells like baseball, and I buzz my head. So, it’s no surprise that Lent is now just around the corner, and other than the Lenten Mission and preliminary extra confession times that we’ve been planning, I have not done any personal spiritual preparation for this season of stripping away our attachments and growing closer to Jesus. Click here for entry form.

Well friends, I am writing you just at the beginning of my annual retreat, so please pardon the shortened nature of this week’s column. You are the only thing standing between me and several days of much needed silence. Click on title for full column.

Well friends, in another world, I would have written at length here about which priests are to be assigned to our new family of parishes come July, but since we aren’t allowed to announce it officially until the weekend, and some of you weirdos go online and read the bulletin before it’s printed, I’m afraid I still must speak cryptically. It seems that, as usual, some nerds just ruin everything. Click title for full column.

I was going to write a super cool introduction that ties in this weekend’s readings, but I lost my creativity somewhere this week. I do have some exciting news to introduce, so let’s just jump to that. (Then, check out a promise of prayers at the end.) Click title for full column.