De Omnibus Dubitandum Est.

This recent Gallup poll lists what appeals most to Church goers in the US. The top 3 reasons Catholics attend church are: 1) sermons are relevant to life; 2) spiritual programs for children & teens; and 3 - only 1 point lower than 2) sermons that explain Scripture. If you are engaging the faithful and hopefully future faithful, this is very interesting and serves as a reminder to meet people where they are - faith needs to matter to their daily life. Three in four worshippers say sermons a major factor in why they go Youth programs, outreach and volunteer opportunities also important Preferring to worship solo is main reason non-attenders eschew services While the rank order of priorities is similar between members of the two Christian branches, Protestants (including those who identify as simply "Christian") attach much more importance than Catholics to the content of sermons, as well as to the quality of music. Catholics and Protestants attach nearly the same l...

Fr. Kevin Hale with me at the Fontana di Trevi, Roma , February 2012. Father Kevin gave a particularly moving homily today which I felt I needed to share here. It centred around the Sacred Heart, which we particularly reflect on in June, and which has a special connotation for the sanctity of priests. In his homily this week, he shares some personal experiences which have led him to develop a rather profound understanding of the importance of this devotion for the Catholic family. This had particular resonance for me as, coming from Irish stock, there was always a picture of the Sacred Heart with a lamp burning in every home. I think what struck me today in particular was the way in which Fr. Kevin has correctly identified practical measures for each of us to engage with in order to achieve those things which we all want in our homes, namely peace, love and respect in our families and homes, success in our undertakings and a shared and growing fervour in our hearts for the per...