Remembering Spending High School Years in Savannah GA 1965-1968

Several weeks ago, Stephanie and I spent a couple of days in Savannah, GA, staying at the DeSoto Hotel on Liberty Street in the downtown historic district. Through the years, splendid work has been achieved, particularly with the help of SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design) in historic preservation, including renovation of the DeSoto. […]

“Pentecost – Let’s Go!”

“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”  Matthew 28: 16-20 Remember what Saint (Mother Teresa) of Calcutta embraced as her mantra, recalling some of the final words […]

The challenges of obedience to an informed conscience

It is plain to see that the concept of truth and moral values has become so distorted. Consider the “Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence”, a group of anti-Catholic drag nuns doing unimaginable acts, like pole dancing around the cross of Jesus. These so-called “sisters”, who are actually men, were honored yesterday, June 16th by the LA […]

“The Young Seminarian” – The Perspective of a Young Teen Attending a Catholic Seminary, Part II

“Now it takes a good son to be a good priest, as Jesus was. You are longing to be one day “another Christ,” to be to those around you, as a priest, what Jesus was to those who followed Him. But Jesus spent thirty long years in just being a good son to Mary and […]

Dealing with the Bad Stuff in Our Lives

“I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me” Philippians 4:13 All of us have a conscience, formed out of our sense of right from wrong, guiding our actions and decisions. When we violate our conscience, it can put us ill at ease, even resulting in guilty feelings, which can make us feel inadequate, […]

“Remember Everyone Deployed” – a Remembrance or a Call to Action?

On Friday mornings at 6:00 AM, the pastor of Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church holds a weekly holy hour for the men of our parish, starting with an hour of quiet reflection before the Blessed Sacrament* within the church, followed by coffee and donuts in the parish hall, along with an instructive video and brief […]

Mental Health and Substance Abuse- A Major Impediment to Resolving Homelessness

My work with The Salvation Army has brought me to a more thorough understanding of the issues and solutions in helping those struggling with housing instability, leading to homelessness.  One key factor has stood out as an obstacle to stability, which is the vicious and unrelenting pain of having anxiety, depression, and severe types of psychosis, as well as alcohol or other forms of substance abuse.  While challenging enough, when these problems involve children in families on the edge of instability, the work to resolve becomes even more intense, as I learned from a recent meeting with our local DFACS team in Augusta.

Fear or Confidence?  Guide to Having a Life with Greater Peace and Joy!

“I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me”   Philippians 4:13 Having celebrated a recent birthday, I took some time to look back, considering all of God’s gifts and graces through the years, which continue to flow despite the all the craziness going on in the world. For me, the key to lasting […]

The Challenges to Resolving Homelessness

Several months ago, as the Augusta Salvation Army HR Manager, I was given permission to spend more time assisting at The Salvation Army homeless shelter, which is called the Center of Hope. I wanted to meet some of the people whom we serve, and understand their circumstances better, how we case manage them, and observing […]

Part IV – “Young Seminarian” – The Perspective of a Teenage Boy Attending a Catholic Seminary

Bringing the Passion Play to Augusta 1968 was a tumultuous year in our country, with protests over the increasingly unpopular Vietnam War, and demonstrations and even riots following the shooting death of Dr. Martin Luther King, and presidential candidate, Senator Robert Kennedy. I recall our seminary Rector, Fr. William Coleman, being so upset about the […]

Part III – “The Young Seminarian” – The Perspective of a Young Teen Attending a Catholic Seminary

Letters to Home I was fortunate that my mother saved many of the letters I wrote, and those my parents wrote back to me during my three years away at St. John’s. Dad wrote to me regularly about what was going on back in Augusta, while my writings mostly focused on my needs, which always […]