The snow is melting fast. “Brown,” not green, lawns are becoming more apparent. At the farm, the stubble of picked corn shows itself again in the fields. Although spring doesn’t officially begin until March 20, I’m sensing the beginnings of a bad case of spring fever. It’s too early for this – at least a […]

I’ve always been disturbed when people tell me, “Do you want to make God laugh? Tell him your plans.” I don’t think God laughs at our plans. Yes, I trust completely in God and in God’s love for me and for all of us, but with the gift of free will, we also receive some […]

Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete! “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice! Indeed, the Lord is near” (Phil 4:4-5). The Third Sunday of Advent is called Gaudete Sunday from the Entrance Antiphon listed in the Roman Missal. The English translation actually loses some of the impact due to the fact that the original Latin is […]

What’s it really going to be like? What can I expect? Will it be worth it? What is this “reality” we call afterlife? As we wind down this liturgical year with the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ King of the Universe on Nov. 20, the Sundays, as well as weekday readings for Mass, focus […]

“I heard from my sister’s husband’s brother’s girlfriend that….” Sounds a bit ridiculous but those are the types of scenarios that capture our attention and get our brains and, unfortunately, our mouths moving. It boils down to “gossip.” It’s nothing new. It’s been part of our heritage since day one. Check the numerous times the […]

A classic musical hit from my younger years (1968) is “Old Friends” written by Paul Simon of Simon and Garfunkel. The song is about two older men sitting on a park bench reminiscing about their lives now that they are 70. I’ve come to love and appreciate this piece of music. I’m a great fan […]

They have finally arrived! In 1963, singer Nat King Cole described them as crazy days of summer as he sang: “Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer / those days of soda and pretzels and beer.” Our description of these days may not be exactly like Cole’s but summer is indeed a special […]

Springtime brings to our parish churches an increase in the number of weddings. These ceremonies are wonderful celebrations of love and, hopefully, strong faith. Do couples really remember the ceremony? Have they invested in it? I have a great “witness” from a former parish where it really made a difference. In October 1985 I was […]

May 1 is the feast of St. Joseph the Worker. The warmer Wisconsin temperatures give us a taste of spring, new enthusiasm to do some gardening and, for the farmers, planning the right time to plant the crops. My background began on the farm. As kids, we helped Dad as best we could with the […]

As  the title of this column suggests, “It’s all about Hope.” I’m honored to be able to contribute to this hope, especially during this time of Easter. It’s all about resurrection and new life for those joined to the life of Jesus. It’s a great time of the year and a bit of “dated” humor […]