Making Mass more Dense
You can probably toss this in the bulging “How do I get more out of Mass?” file, but, hey, I’ve never written a blog post on the topic myself so here goes. We’ve simultaneously passed two tipping points in our young boys’ behavior during Mass. Our oldest, just over four, now can manage to be pretty calm and quiet during most of Mass. There is always the obligatory...
read moreModest and Festive
When I was last in Rome, a lifetime ago, I remember being so happy that the churches there has dress codes that were actually being enforced. There were signs everywhere, reminding both men and women to cover up our shoulders and knees and everything in between. It seemed to be reminding us also that, even though we were all on vacation to varying degrees, we were still entering a house of...
read moreSix Reasons to Go to Daily Mass as a Family
I was planning on writing on going as a family to daily Mass and I noticed a few recent articles discussing why parents don’t take fussing babies out of church and others encouraging parents to take their young kids to church. I always find these discussions interesting but frustrating, especially since my two oldest are super outgoing and my second was a very fussy baby; I could never nurse...
read moreHours before the Crucifixion
It’s Good Friday morning so our thoughts move toward our Lord’s anguish as he mentally prepares for Golgotha. We know what He will face externally: the scourging, the insults, the rejection by His friends, and finally the nails and cross. Less is available in Scripture about the suffering He experienced internally during this time, though we get some clues: He took with him Peter,...
read moreShooting Craps: Church Aesthetics and Spiritual Formation
Earlier this week, Tim opined on his experience of “rolling the dice” with regard to attending Mass. Bridget responded. I figured I’d take swing at giving my own thoughts, though it’s more aimed at Bridget’s response than Tim’s original post. Before I jump into this, I would like to refer you to a piece by The American Catholic regarding Canon 518,...
read moreRolling the Dice
I do not yet have an extensive network of Catholic friends scattered hither and yon on which I can call when I’m searching for an out-of-town Mass to attend. My wife and I attend St. John Berchmans‘ Cathedral parish in Shreveport, LA and have probably gotten a little spoiled by the quality of the liturgy. We appreciate the silence when entering, the beautiful organ and choir heard but...
read moreAbout the Author
Tim Shaughnessy is a cradle Catholic who began to take his faith seriously after meeting his then-Baptist future wife. She is now the wonderful Catholic mom to his two sons. Tim has undergraduate degrees in economics and political science, and a Master’s and Ph.D. in economics. He teaches economics at the undergraduate and graduate level, and is a faculty advisor for the campus Catholic student organization.
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