Articulating Hope

Category: Uncategorized

  • St. Stephen–First Martyr

    I recently had the opportunity to spend some time in Mexico. Unfortunately, being herded like cattle through the airport resulted in picking up a bug on the way home. Today is the first day I have spent more than a couple of hours out of bed in a week. Yes, I missed out on celebrating Christmas. Let’s just say I celebrated a week early with temperatures in the low to mid 80’s, a nice breeze off of the Gulf of America (Mexico), and palm trees as a backdrop to an artificial Christmas tree. What a blessing it was to be there!

    December 26 finds us celebrating the life of St. Stephen, the first martyr. Why is that important? It’s simple. He was a deacon. Deacons are always shining examples of how to live the faith. Right? Okay. I am still a work in progress.

    We celebrate the Octave of Christmas. Keep celebrating well.

  • Men’s Morning of Hope–Wentzville, MO

    Nearly 60 men attended the Morning of Recollection at Saint Patrick Parish in Wentzville, Missouri on October 25. This was my first time speaking at this parish, and what a blessing it was for me. There are times you walk into a parish and can feel the energy. This was one of those places. Wow!

    After hundreds of speaking engagements over the last quarter of a century, I am still amazed at the powerful ways God touches the hearts of His people. The private conversations during the breaks always reveal the various ways God is speaking to His people in the depths of their hearts. It is indeed a beautiful experience.

    Many thanks to the Knights of Columbus for organizing a terrific event.

    Saint Patrick Parish in Wentzville, Missouri 10-25-2025
    Saint Patrick Parish in Wentzville, Missouri 10-25-2025

  • Flying High

    These young folks were just an absolute joy to meet. Seeing their precision in the sky was one thing, but getting to visit with them on the ground simply filled me with joy. I can’t even imagine the discipline and work it has taken for them to have accomplished so much at such a young age.

    I can’t fly a plane. My charisms are preaching and teaching. I am much older than these pilots, but they reminded me that I needed to be continuing to pursue excellence in my craft. Yes, I have been doing public speaking of one kind or another for 50 years now. That doesn’t mean I can stop learning or stop practicing. Rhetorical skills can always be sharpened.

    What is the gift or charism that God has bestowed upon?

    Are you using that gift well?

    Are you developing and improving the skills connected with your gift?

    Please don’t hide your light under a bushel basket. Let it shine!

  • Our Lady of the Rosary

    After several years of absence from the blogging world, I have returned once again with a single purpose in mind. I want to be articulating hope.

    Our world is hurting in many ways, but the Church can be a beacon of light in the midst of the darkness. It is my desire to encourage you, as well as myself, to keep being faithful witnesses of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

    Our Lady of the Rosary–pray for us!