Investing is always a risk.  You have to give up something in the hope of obtaining something even more valuable.  And that's the kind of investment Jesus asks of us.  Before all else, we have to fully understand what "the treasure" really is.  We have to recognize the enduring value of the love of God and neighbor; we have to see how Gospel living can insure our happiness and security - and then - and only then - will we be willing to put aside the vanity of treasures that keeps us from becoming "rich in what matters to God."

Polarization has poisoned politics in America.  It has also poisoned dialogue in our Catholic Church.  What should be a respectful interaction of faithful followers of Christ sharing valid insights on issues affecting life in the twenty-first century too often degenerates into name-calling and attacks among the laity, and censure and excommunication from the bishops.  What would Christ expect of us? - by Tony Kowalski

Beware the experts.  They know everything about their field of expertise, but that very specialization restricts their vision and wisdom.   Their knowledge is exceptional and in one specialized area remarkable, but paradoxically that erudition narrows their view. The experts see things clearly and bolster their positions with logical arguments, footnotes, citations, and precedents -- but the reasoning is limited by the logic of their expertise. Remember, logic is like whiskey at some point it loses its beneficial effects -- and too much of it can make us delusional.

When a fifth grade boy in a school in Texas was asked to write an essay about “My Very First Dad,” his essay pulled at his teacher’s heart strings.

“I remember him like God in my heart. I remember him in my heart like the clouds overhead and strawberry ice cream and bananas when I was a little kid. But the most I remember is his love, as big as the State of Texas when I was born.”

The Church in the 21st Century Center at Boston College seeks to be a catalyst and resource for the renewal of the Catholic Church in the United States by engaging critical issues facing the Catholic community.  Many programs can be found online for your spiritual and theological development.

BustedHalo.com is a web e-zine that speaks candidly and occasionally irreverently on issues facing people in their 20's and 30's that intersect with spirituality. Open to dialogue and hearing the stories of young people, BustedHalo never preaches condescendingly, rather seeks to understand and to express the wisdom of Catholic and other religious traditions in away that makes sense to the experience of those "spiritually seeking."

The Center for Progressive Christianity provides guiding ideas, networking opportunities, and resources for progressive churches, organizations, individuals and others with connections to Christianity.

Perhaps you have never heard of Henri Nouwen or you may be quite familiar with his writing. Either way we invite you to explore this site and discover why the themes of his many books resonate so deeply with people all over the world.

Catholica.com explores the character and nature of the priesthood of the future in a series of articles.

In a move to unite U.S. Catholics, the newly formed American Catholic Council (ACC) called today for an historic assembly of the Catholic Church in the United States.

CORPUS (The National Association for an Inclusive Priesthood) is appalled by a recent Vatican announcement that the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith would treat any “attempted ordination of a woman” as a serious crime against the church. In fact, such an ‘attempted’ ordination would be classified by the church hierarchy as the same category of offense as sexual abuse.

Frank H. Woolever July 5, 2010 Frank H. Woolever, 77, of Syracuse, died peacefully at Crouse Hospital on Monday after a brief illness.

A personal story of what it's like for a man in his 70's to move in with a passel of abused and neglected kids, share their lives and take on a new identity as a grandpa to a children's village. The author's job description as a live-in grandfather at the inter-generational village is to be a giver of unconditional love to twenty-four foster children ranging in age from five to sixteen.

ALERT Last call for early bird registration for the American Catholic Council meeting in Detroit, June 10-12, 2011.  The deadline is August 7th.

Richard Scaine has published a new and timely book on dialogue with Islam.  You may order a personal autographed copy from Dick.

ALERT Would you like to see a married priesthood?  PLEASE send an electronic post card to the Vatican asking for this change.

Read the reasons for the delay of the new translation of the missal and also, if you desire, sign the petition to Rome for the delay.  Also you are encouraged to write your Bishop.  Sample letters can be found at the web site.

Bill Lally goes to his eternal home on June 23, 2010.