(Photo: Adobe Stock) By Michelle Connor Harris, Psy.D. Executive Director St. Raphael Counseling, a ministry of Catholic Charities Bring to mind your best Christmas memory. Was it receiving a particular gift that you longed for? Decorating the Christmas tree? Maybe it was baking Christmas cookies with your mom and getting to lick the last bit of frosting from the spatula. If you’re a parent, perhaps you recall the giddy anticipation of your children on Christmas Eve and their

In a weary world, his unapologetic joy reveals the bold hope Christmas demands of us. (Photo courtesy of Elf 's Facebook page) Those who know me know that I am obsessed with the movie Elf . Like I can quote the whole thing obsessed. It’s a weird thing to admit in writing, in a Catholic magazine, I know, but stay with me. Beyond how absolutely hilarious I’ve always found the movie to be, and the magic of New York City at Christmastime, there’s something deeper that’s always ca

Tired of warning signs and alarm bells over television content? Korean drama may just provide your family and you with a friendlier alternative. (Photo: Lightstock) I recently viewed the Korean drama, “Lovely Runner,” which took me on an emotional rollercoaster through its tale of a fan traveling through time to save her Korean pop idol's life and change both their destinies. Across 16 episodes, I laughed, raged and bawled my eyes out, and I did so without sitting through a s

Between shopping lists and Nativity plays, Seinfeld, Elf and St. Paul offer us a reminder: God became man to dwell in our mess. That changes everything. (Photo: Lightstock) On a famous episode of the TV comedy Seinfeld , George Costanza follows this advice: “Do the opposite.” His life decisions have turned out disastrously in work, romance, finance and more. He has always trusted his instincts, but he has been wrong every time. Now, he will “Do the opposite.” If every instinc

(Photo: Lightstock) By Michael T. Meurer, Meurer & Potter, P.C. “The good leave an inheritance to their children's children, but the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the just.” (Proverbs 13:22) As Catholics, we are called to be faithful stewards of the blessings God has given us — not only in life, but in how we prepare for death. Estate planning is not merely a legal exercise; it is a spiritual act of love, a way to leave behind peace, clarity and harmony for those we c

(Photo: Lightstock) As Advent draws near, many Catholic homes and parishes are preparing more than wreaths and lights. They’re setting up a Jesse Tree — a beautiful, hands-on tradition that invites families to journey through salvation history, reflect on Christ’s coming and serve those in need. A Tradition Rooted in Scripture and History The Jesse Tree takes its name from the prophecy of the prophet Isaiah: “A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall

Why prayer isn’t supposed to look like panic — and how to rediscover its peace. La Religieuse (The Nun) by Henriette Browne. 1859 Oil on canvas. Height: 92.4 cm (36.3 in), width: 73.6 cm (28.9 in). National Inventory of Continental European Paintings. Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain) It was several years ago, so I couldn’t tell you now what I was working on when I went searching for reference photos of someone in prayer. I only remembe

(Photo: Lightstock) “What do you have that you did not receive?” 1 Corinthians 4:6   Western society has lived in open revolt against authority and tradition since the 1960s. Among the many causes and dispositions that underlie this societal rebellion, ingratitude stands at the very top. Just as a teenager might retort to their parents, so our society has said to our cultural heritage and faith: “I don’t need you. I know better than you. It’s time to get rid of the outdated

By Lisa Smith, MA St. Raphael Counseling, a ministry of Catholic Charities When we face the loss of someone we love, our hearts often struggle to make sense of what feels impossible to bear. At St. Raphael Counseling, a ministry of Catholic Charities, we witness this sacred space every day: where pain, love and faith meet in the human heart. It’s in this space that healing begins, and where God quietly reminds us that even in our sorrow, we are never alone. Recently, during o

Through his work with director Rian Johnson and actor Josh O'Connor on the new Knives Out film, Father Scott Bailey created opportunities for understanding, even evangelizing, the Catholic faith. Father Scott Bailey, pastor of Risen Christ Parish in Denver, with Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery producers Ram Bergman, Leopold Hughes and Nikos Karamigios. (Photo courtesy of Father Scott Bailey) By Jay Sorgi Sometimes, God uses big meals with fettuccine alfredo to open do

We’re made in the image of a God who is a communion of love — Father, Son and Holy Spirit — and we can only mirror that image when we live for others. (Photo: Pexels) I just finished reading the excellent book “From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life” by Arthur C. Brooks. One of my favorite parts was his discussion of the importance of relationships to our happiness. Like many other academics who study happiness, he ha

How to talk with our parents — and ourselves — about death with love, sensitivity and faith (Photo: Lightstock) By Lisa Smith, MA, LPCC Outpatient Therapist St. Raphael Counseling, a ministry of Catholic Charities   Death is one of life’s few certainties, yet one of the hardest realities to face. Even as people of faith who believe in eternal life, many of us struggle to confront our own mortality — or the thought of losing our parents. Pope Francis once said, “Death is not t

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 anci

(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

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 p

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 pra

(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 offic

(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

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 livin

(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 Samhai