Once upon a time in the Diocese of Colorado Springs, there were only two seminarians studying for the priesthood. Whenever a young Catholic male expressed interest in learning more about a vocation to the priesthood, there was great rejoicing in all the land, even if he never applied to the seminary. Ordinations were rare but joyful occasions. The likelihood of a priest shortage seemed more real as more and more priests neared the age of retirement.

As my time starts to wind down here in the diocese before taking on a new assignment overseas, I hope that these articles have been an encouragement to the reader, even a challenge, to embrace the gift of Sunday as the Lord’s Day — a day of worship, rest, and recreation. In the face of our culture’s worsening health, many Christians instinctively want to push back and “do something” about it. Setting Sunday apart for the Lord and his purposes is tantamount to an act of rebellion.

“We celebrate Sunday because of the venerable resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, and we do so not only at Easter but also at each turning of the week.” — Pope Innocent I

Someone once asked how a priest decides the penance he gives in confession.

Most priests do not necessarily use a formula or a precise method. Sometimes it’s just the standard “three Hail Marys.” Other times the penance may be a little more involved. A lot depends on the needs of the penitent.

As Catholics, when we fast, we fast. When we feast, we feast!