One of the most beautiful aspects of the Easter season is the celebration of the sacraments of initiation. It is a highlight of the Easter Vigil welcoming new believers at the font for Baptism or …
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By FATHER CHRISTOPHER ARGANO
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4/7/21
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As we continue through the season of Lent, our minds turn back to the events of a year ago and the beginning of the pandemic. Churches closed, schools all remote and social gatherings suspended. A …
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By FATHER CHRISTOPHER ARGANO
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3/10/21
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A couple of weeks ago, the Church throughout the world celebrated the feast of the conversion of the apostle Paul. I think we are all familiar with the famous account where Paul while on the road to …
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By FATHER CHRISTOPHER ARGANO
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2/10/21
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In many ways he is the unsung hero of the Christmas story. We focus each year on the Virgin Mary and the Lord, and St. Joseph, although present in our nativity scenes, can easily be overlooked. Yet …
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By FATHER CHRISTOPHER ARGANO
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1/13/21
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As we come to the end of 2020, many of us will be glad to see the calendar change. From the coronavirus to murder hornets, civil unrest and a contentious election, this has not been an easy year. Who …
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By FATHER CHRISTOPHER ARGANO
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12/2/20
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November traditionally has been dedicated to praying for our deceased brothers and sisters. This flows from the fact that the month begins with All Saints Day Nov. 1. and All Souls Day Nov. 2. In …
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By FATHER CHRISTOPHER ARGANO
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11/18/20
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This has been a difficult year. Whichever way we look at it, either from a secular perspective or a religious one, we will not be sorry to see 2020 end. From the tragic stories about the coronavirus …
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By FATHER CHRISTOPHER ARGANO
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10/7/20
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For the last three years I have had the great gift of celebrating Mass every Monday morning for the Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal. For the first two years I would go to Our Lady of Guadalupe …
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By FATHER CHRISTOPHER ARGANO
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9/9/20
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Throughout the liturgical year the Church sets aside the months of May and October to have a specific focus on the Blessed Virgin Mary. This makes sense as May is a month with Mother’s Day and the …
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By FATHER CHRISTOPHER ARGANO
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8/12/20
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It is something I have done thousands of times over the last 11 years of priesthood. Walking out of the sacristy and into the sanctuary to begin the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. It can become routine …
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By FATHER CHRISTOPHER ARGANO
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7/15/20
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During this time of lockdown and quarantine it has been difficult to stay positive and not be discouraged. One of the greatest challenges, in addition to not being able to attend Mass, has been the …
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By FATHER CHRISTOPHER ARGANO
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6/3/20
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Most people like either having control or being in control. It gives us a sense of comfort or assurance that everything is in order or that there is a plan in place that we are following. This idea …
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By FATHER CHRISTOPHER ARGANO
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5/6/20
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We can open the church now that the Mass is over.” Those words this past Sunday filled me with not only a deep sadness but also just seemed so antithetical to everything that the Mass, the …
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By FATHER CHRISTOPHER ARGANO
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4/8/20
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Recently I was at a young adult gathering and the topic of celibacy was on the forefront of many people’s minds since it has been covered in the press regarding the Amazon synod and the document …
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By FATHER CHRISTOPHER ARGANO
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3/11/20
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A few weeks ago I was finishing a three-year program for spiritual direction at St. Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein, Ill. Since this was a course focused on spirituality much of our time was …
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By FATHER CHRISTOPHER ARGANO
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2/12/20
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It seems sometimes that we are surrounded by bad news. There are so many depressing stories at home and abroad that it can appear we are living in dark times. Additionally, each new report that comes …
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By FATHER CHRISTOPHER ARGANO
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12/31/19
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A few weeks ago, just before Halloween, I was in the car looking for something to listen to on the radio. As I scrolled through the channels, I was very surprised when I heard Christmas music. I …
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By FATHER CHRISTOPHER ARGANO
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12/4/19
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At the heart of any vocation to the priesthood should be the desire to bring Jesus to the people. Our ministry and ordination puts us in the unique and privileged position of bringing the Good …
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By FATHER CHRISTOPHER ARGANO
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11/6/19
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A few weeks ago, I was asked to give a morning of recollection to seventh- and eighth-grade students at one of our elementary schools in the upper counties. The principal told me …
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By FATHER CHRISTOPHER ARGANO
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10/9/19
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One of the most beautiful times of the Church year is the spring, when many dioceses throughout the world celebrate the ordination of their new priests. During my years as a seminarian and now as a …
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By FATHER CHRISTOPHER ARGANO
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8/28/19
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