Several weeks ago, maybe a few months ago, the church observed Vocation Sunday. I usually associate the word “vocation” with a call to the priesthood or possibly the religious life. Members of the religious orders all share a special vocation. Certainly, our Deacons are engaged in a special vocation. The homilist explained that the word…

We Are Called Yes, my brother knights. We are called. From the founding of our order in 1882, our order has been based on three principles: charity, unity and fraternity. We have not wavered from these principles but have developed specific means to meet the challenges each principle presents. Initially, we were called to perform…

By now, most of us have been “Christmased out.”  But I would like to read to you one of two articles that are almost totally unconnected except they both deal a bit with Christmas.  I will save the second one for next month. Several years ago, I subscribed to “Smithsonian” magazine.  I already had a…

I grew up in what we referred to as “Upstate New York,” more properly western New York. From my earliest years, I was taught that we were “Irish, with a bit of Scotch, English and maybe some Norman French.” Somewhere on my father’s side, there was an Aunt Fitzpatrick. On my mother’s side, there were…

Veterans Day The motorcade made it way down the unfamiliar streets of the city. It was an open vehicle, and the riders waved as was expected to the crowd lining the streets to see this powerful couple. The driver was becoming more and more confused with the unfamiliar streets and the city. He made a…