I am the Director of Campus Ministry for the schools of the Texas Medical Center. I received my doctorate in philosophy from the University of Saint Thomas in Houston in 1999, and for the prior 14 years I was the campus minister at Sam Houston State University.
Today, April 28, is the Feast Day of the heroic wife, mother and pediatric physician, Saint Gianna Molla. She is celebrated as a great patron of the unborn for, when she became pregnant with her fourth child, doctors found a tumor in her uterus. She chose to have the tumor removed rather than any treatment … More Saint Gianna Molla’s Feast Day April 28
Every Good Friday, the question is raised again, “Why did Jesus have to die?” A common answer, though not really the Catholic answer, says that Jesus is a substitute victim, an innocent, and infinitely holy person, the Son of God, who suffers the punishment which sinners deserve in their place, and thereby frees them from … More Why Jesus Died on the Cross.
Today’s Gospel has the shortest, or at least one of the shortest, verses in the Bible: Jesus wept. It is one of the most poignant, and at several moments in the Gospel, there are other poignant moments, when Jesus, seeing the grief of others, becomes greatly perturbed or troubled. Throughout the story of Lazarus’ dying … More Jesus Raises Lazarus from the Dead
February 26, 2020 is Ash Wednesday which begins the Church’s season of penance, prayer and works of charity in preparation for the celebration of the mystery of our salvation which Jesus accomplished with his suffering, death and ultimate resurrection at Easter. Here are the times at nearby chapels and parishes when ashes are available, and … More Ash Wednesday, February 26, 2020
Friday, November 1, 2019 is the Solemnity of All Saints. It is a Holy Day of Obligation. Here are the Mass times at nearby chapels and parishes: Ben Taub Hospital chapel: 10:30 am. CHI Baylor St. Luke’s Hospital chapel: 12 noon. Houston Methodist Hospital Wiess Memorial Chapel: 12 noon. Memorial Hermann Hospital Mirtha G. Dunn Interfaith Chapel: 12 … More All Saints’ Day – Friday, November 1, 2019
Thursday, August 15, is the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is a holy day of obligation. Here are the Mass times at nearby chapels and parishes. Check back to see if other hospital chapels add Masses. CHI Baylor St. Luke’s Hospital Cullen Memorial Chapel: 12 noon. Memorial Hermann Hospital Mirtha … More August 15, 2019 – Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Holy Day of Obligation
Over the past few years as campus minister in the Texas Medical Center I have spoken with several medical students and physicians about their scientific understanding of the relationship of the soul to the body, and specifically of the relationship of the mind to the brain. I often wonder more generally how their Christian and Catholic … More Neurologist Michael Egnor, MD, on the Evidence against Materialism
April 18 – 21, 2019 With joy and thanksgiving we celebrate the Paschal Mystery, the great victory Jesus Christ won for us over sin and death. From the USCCB: The summit of the Liturgical Year is the Easter Triduum—from the evening of Holy Thursday to the evening of Easter Sunday. Though chronologically three days, they … More 2019 Easter Triduum Mass Times
The three traditional practices for the observance of Lent are prayer, fasting and almsgiving. And since the purpose of Lent is to prepare for the celebration of Easter by strengthening our relationship with God, it makes sense to spend more time with Him in prayer and conversation, as well as imitating the God who is … More Why Do Catholics Fast?
March 6, 2019 is Ash Wednesday which begins the Church’s season of penance, prayer and works of charity in preparation for the celebration of the mystery of our salvation which Jesus accomplished with his suffering, death and ultimate resurrection at Easter. Here are the times at nearby chapels and parishes when ashes are available, and … More Ash Wednesday, March 6, 2019
