Faithful answer God’s call to support those discerning priestly vocation

By Jerry Circelli

Correspondent / North Texas Catholic

May 14, 2014

FORT WORTH -- The life of a man can change forever once he decides to follow Jesus Christ and devote his time on earth to serving the Church. In the Diocese of Fort Worth, on average it requires a nine-year commitment, including four years of undergraduate work, four years of masters-level theological studies, and a one-year internship at a parish. In addition, seminarians are expected to be fluent in at least two languages — English and Spanish.

Bishop Olson answers questions from young adults Theology on Tap 

By Juan Guajardo

North Texas Catholic

May 19, 2014

FORT WORTH -- Bishop Michael Olson’s first talk at Theology on Tap was part Catholic Answers Live and part stand-up comedy routine. Drawing an overflow crowd at BJ’s Brewhouse in Hurst May 5, Bishop Olson pulled a Pope Francis-like move in opting for an off-the-cuff question-and-answer session with his young adult audience.

Soldiers lay down weapons for rosaries as they pray, pay homage to Mary

By Carol Glatz 

Catholic News Service

LOURDES, France (CNS) -- It looked like any other military parade with bands playing, flags waving and thousands of men and women marching in colorful uniforms decorated with medals and ribbons.

God makes no one struggle with life's challenges alone, pope says

By Carol Glatz

Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- God is always by our side, never giving us more than we can handle, Pope Francis said. The countless women and men who stand tall through enormous difficulties, pain and especially persecution, are armed with the divine gift of fortitude that gives them the strength and hope to go on, he said.

Renowned journalist John Allen discusses ‘Francis effect’

By Joan Kurkowski-Gillen

North Texas Catholic

May 16,  2014

How do you describe a man with 12 million Twitter followers who graced the pages of both Time and Rolling Stone magazines and enjoys a 90 percent approval rating with American Catholics?

Biography shines light on sometimes overlooked Catholic composer

Reviewed by Rachelle Linner

Catholic News Service

May 16,  2014

Calvin R. Stapert, a professor emeritus of music at Calvin College, has written a persuasive and loving biography and appreciation of Joseph Haydn (1732-1809). Although Haydn was respected during his lifetime, after his death his legacy was eclipsed by Mozart and Beethoven. 

The-Summa inVerse

Br. John Dominic Bouck, O.P.

Word on Fire

May 19, 2014

Dante Alighieri was a preeminent poet of the Middle Ages, and many consider his "Divine Comedy" to be the premier epic poem in Western literature. But did you know his work was heavily influenced by St. Thomas Aquinas? Br. John Dominic Bouck, O.P. explains today how the "Divine Comedy" could be aptly titled "The Summa in Verse", and encourage us to read all three acts.