What many Americans may still not realize is that Ireland is embracing the culture of death with a zeal and gusto that few other countries — even traditionally secularized ones — would be so foolish as to imitate.

By the time Father James D. Proffitt finally put his feet up Nov. 10, he’d presided at a funeral and a wedding, baptized three babies, heard confessions for an hour, presided at the Saturday vigil Mass and administered the anointing of the sick.

~1~ Despite all my worry that the frozen turkey wouldn’t thaw in time, it thawed beautifully, and it cooked up even more perfectly. I watched my father pull it out of the oven, and it was gorgeous—and delicious. Everything tasted so good this year—my mother’s carrots and onions casserole, the mashed potatoes and gravy, the […]

The Baltimore-based Josephites celebrated their 125th anniversary with a special Mass Nov. 17 at the Baltimore Basilica.

A dozen years ago or so, back before we had children, my mother asked me to bring the sweet potatoes to our Thanksgiving dinner.