Reflections

United by Our Blessed Mother

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus speaks about how He has come to bring division in families, in societies, and throughout the world. While we often think of division as something negative, the truth is: division—or polarization—shows us the truth about [read more...]

The Greatest Surprise: Jesus’ Second Coming

What will it be like for us when Christ comes again? Will it be a great surprise, or will it be more like an unwelcome Halloween scare? Father Mike Schmitz recommends getting to know Jesus well now, so that when [read more...]

Our Treasure

In today’s Gospel Jesus tells us that we must be happy and vigilant servants. Jesus says to us “Do not be afraid any longer, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom. See your belongings and [read more...]

Featured Podcast: 15 Things to Do in the Midst of Suffering

The Church celebrates the feast of St. Maximilian Kolbe this week. Kolbe, a Polish Catholic priest, fearlessly suffered the horrors of Auschwitz, where he was eventually martyred because of his faith. His life reminds us that suffering is a mystery [read more...]

The Kingdom of God is in Our Midst

We often hear news reports about bad behavior on airplanes, about people who become unruly and irritable, making demands on the cabin crew and inconveniencing the rest of the passengers by delaying the flight or just making the trip unpleasant. [read more...]

Laughing at Death?

Death. How’s that for starting out on a bright note? Seriously though. For something so certain and absolutely going to happen, it’s strange we don’t consider and talk about this subject more. The Bible reminds us, ‘Teach us to number [read more...]

Encountering Jesus

At dinner the other night, I recounted the experience of my visit to a poor parish community in Venezuela in 2006. On this one day, the hosts knew that the American visitors were coming, and they splurged on us with [read more...]

Why It’s Important to Laugh at Yourself

Do you take yourself too seriously? Are you unwilling to acknowledge your faults and weaknesses to others- or even to yourself? In this video, Fr. Mike shares some lessons in humility and being willing to laugh at yourself.

Reducing the Unnecessary to Make Room for the Necessary

The following reflection is Deacon Paul Onischuk’s Homily from Our Lady of the Wayside’s Family Mass on July 17, 2022. In the Gospel according to Luke, Chapter 10, Verse 38-42, we hear how Martha is “burdened with much serving” and [read more...]

Pray About It? Or Just Do It?

Pray about it? Or just do it? Fr. Mike breaks down the Benedictine charism of prayer AND work and offers us some food for thought when tempted to fall into fatalism or quietism and remove our will from the equation.