Word on Fire, Ablaze for 25 Years

Today is Bishop Robert Barron's birthday.  It's particularly special to celebrate him as this year marks the 25th anniversary of Word on Fire, the organization he founded.

I watched a mini-documentary about Word on Fire's origins that was released on October 1, the Feast of St. Therese of Lisieux, who is a patron of the organization.  Cardinal George heard the call of Pope St. John Paul II to launch a new evangelization.  He recognized the gifts of then-Father Barron, and tapped him to spearhead the work of the New Evangelization.

Something Bishop Barron said in recent months speaks to the nature of Word on Fire.  He says that the Church should move beyond functions inside church buildings and go out to where people are.  He started by broadcasting homilies on the radio.  Now, Word on Fire has become a huge media-driven organization,  providing stellar resources to proclaim the faith in print and oline.  One great example, among the many books from Word on Fire, is the one on the Eucharist.  Its YouTube channel lots of great content.  There's also the Word on Fire program with stimulating discussions.   Bishop Barron hosts interviews with many people to talk about principles of faith.  One I recently listened to was with Rabbi Soloveichik, a fellow member of a presidential committee on religious freedom.  And he offers a weekly homily, which deeply emphasizes the truths of faith and how they should impact us.  He offer makes a remark saying, "Fellow sinners", noting that there are times when we don't live up to the call of living faithfully.  He also draws principles from the readings that summons us to strive deeply for what matters most in life, like loving as willing the good of the other.  He has a truly gifted mind, and this occasions gives us so much to celebrate.

It's a ministry that continues the call of Pope St. John Paul II and Cardinal George.  IT's great that Bishop Barron is visionary in launching a Word on Fire Order that will continue this work into the future, so the Church can continue to answer the call to boldly proclaim the faith.

I saw Bishop Barron speak in person at the National Eucharistic Congress before 50000 people inside Lucas Oil Stadium on July 20, 2024.  When he came out on the stage, people spontaneously gave him a standing ovation.  After a powerful talk on what chastity, obedience, and poverty for all of us, he intended to quote St. Catherine of Siena's attributed statement, "Be who God meant you to be, and you will set the world on fire."  Instead, he slipped, and said "...you will set the Word on Fire".

Perhaps that slip speaks to the impact of how Word on Fire has helped people to be who God meant them to be and set the world on fire.

Happy Birthday Bishop Barron!

Congratulations and God's Blessing to Word on Fire!

Bishop Barron at the 10th National Eucharistic Congress

A Capitol Milestone

It was 225 years ago when the US Congress held its first session in the US Capitol, on November 17, 1800. This milestone brings to mind my US Capitol experiences.

My family visited when I was in 2nd grade on Spring Break, and I remember the rotunda was so large and full of artwork.  When we visited again on July 26, 2011, we had a guided tour led by the staff of Representative Danny Davis's Office.  At that age, I could appreciate the experience more, and we went more in-depth.  We started at his office in the Rayburn House Office Building, and then went through an underground passageway into the Capitol Visitors' Center, which had a great museum.

In the lower level, we all stood at the spot that marks the center of the US Capitol and the address system for Washington, D.C.  We then went into the rotunda where I admired the artwork once more. We also saw then-Speaker John Boehner.  We walked around in other areas, including the Statuary Hall.  We even went into the House Chamber to sit in on a few minutes of the House session.

There's something magnificent about the building, the site of important government functions.  Moving beyond the fickle nature of politics today, it's amazing to simply marvel at the bulding itself and appreciate what it says about who we are.

Dear Bishop Kane

In celebrating the 20th anniversary of my Confirmation one month ago, I can reflect back on 20 years and see how much of an impact it had on me.  One of the best early examples was when my first-year high school literature teacher assigned us an essay about a transformative life experience.  I quickly chose my Confirmation as the subject of that essay, and my teacher, who was a Catholic-turned-Buddhist, was pleased with what I shared.  The effects have continued all the way to accompanying youths at my home parish today in preparing for Confirmation.

One of the tasks they have is to write a letter to the Bishop on why they want to be confirmed.  That was not a task that was part of my Confirmation process.  Yet I know what I would have written based on my understanding of how much groundwork was done to make Confirmation an impactful experience, which I recognize now even as I did 20 years ago.

Dear Bishop Kane,

I am eager to be confirmed as a Catholic Christian.  

I grew up attending Mass with the St. Giles Family Mass community before my family switched to Ascension.  Throughout my life, I have grown to appreciate what happens at Mass, and my faith in general.

Starting as a student at Percy Julian Middle School in Oak Park has made an enormous impact on me.  I went from my area in southern Oak Park to a new school in 6th grade with students from all over the Village.  We pride ourselves on diversity in Oak Park, and I saw that in a big way upon starting at Julian and meeting people from a variety of backgrounds, especially many Jewish people.  Before Julian, I knew only one Jewish person and her family.  Once I started at Julian, that number increased immensely.  As I met so many Jewish people among my new classmates, I learned more about their religion.  And then I turned inwardly to reflect on who I am as a Christian, and I began to appreciate my faith more.

I have come to enjoy the liturgical seasons.  Instead of just celebrating Christmas and Easter on single days, we have seasons before and after them to continue focusing on the rich meanings we can draw out of them.  It's wonderful to attend Mass and open ourselves up to new insights that are presented in the weeks of these special seasons.

There is so much richness in the Church, and I get to be part of it more fully as a Confirmed Catholic, and draw something from it for my day-to-day life..  Being grounded in the Church, I will live out my faith more fully in the world with great courage.

God's blessings,

Paul

Chris Stefanick and His Golden Milestone

The Feast of the Dedication of the Cathedral Basilica of St. John Lateran is a great opportunity to recognize the one and only Chris Stefanick, who turned 50 on his birthday on October 30.

I first encountered him when the Ascension Religious Education program used the Chosen curriculum for the middle school classes.  It was then that I learned he's a well-known Roman Catholic speaker, and I quickly came to understand why.  He has an energetic style as he answers the Great Commission to proclaim the Good News, and how it's truly Good News for us on a personal level.

He's at the head of Real Life Catholic.  ON a weekly basis, he releases a new video, many of which are interviews with people who present great insights on topics related to the spiritual life, like Maggie Craig on friendship.  He hosts Reboot events at parishes across the country.  I had the chance to attend one of these events in Orland Hills a few years ago and I talked with him for a moment during the event.

Last year, I heard him speak before 60000 people at the final day of the National Eucharistic Congress.  Even as he spoke before a huge crowd in Lucas Oil Stadium, I still felt that energetic style that resonated with me on a personal level.  The driving point of his message is that we're loved by God, and we're meant to grow in a relationship with Him and share this amazing reality with others.  Case in point, he lives what he preaches.

White House Milestone

Washington, D.C., received its most distinguished resident for the first time 225 years ago when President John Adams arrived to live in what is now the White House, on November 1, 1800.  This milestone anniversary reminds me of the importance of this building for both its role in our government and how it presents our nation as a whole to the world stage.

I have been inside the White House twice.  Back in 1999, when our family had a spring break trip to Washington, D.C., we got timed tour tickets to go inside.  5 years later, we got access into the White House during a short trip there in December 2004 and we saw the special decorations in place.  20 years later, I was in the Washington, D.C., Metro Area again for time with family in December 2024.  I met a family that went to the White House grounds to see a display of trees for all 50 states, and I took a cue from them and went to see the displays myself.

The White House is not just the residence and workplace of the President of the United States, but also is a living display of who we are as a country, collecting a treasure trove built by each President of items that speak to the USA.  The White House Historical Association does a great job stewarding the history and treasures of the White House, as I've seen through its various offerings, especially on YouTube.

The day after arrival, President Adams wrote to his wife in a letter, "I Pray Heaven To Bestow The Best Of Blessings On This House And All that shall hereafter Inhabit it. May none but Honest and Wise Men ever rule under This Roof.”  This quotation is now on a mantel in the White House.  May we continue to pray that wise and honest men may humbly acknowledge the important role they take in the office housed in this building.

Dear 1036: The Market and Confirmation Celebration at Home

Dearly Beloved 1036,

October 2025 is a special month.

The 50th Season of the Oak Park Farmers' Market concluded on Saturday.  Since I was little, I enjoyed going to the Market and coming home with goods, like the renowned donuts.  I also enjoyed going there to get apples and a pumpkin to carve toward the end of the season.  More recently, one product that has fascinated me is the microgreens.  After coming home from the market, I enjoyed tossing them on top of some meat and even wrapping it in a tortilla for a delicious lunch.

Also of great note this month, I celebrated the 20th anniversary of my Confirmation on October 15.  To this day, Saturday, October 15, 2005, remains one of the most important days of my life, and I have so many wonderful memories of it.

The Confirmation Mass began at 5 PM, and ended a few minutes after 7 PM.  My family decided to host a celebratory dinner back at home for everyone who came.  Dad, Uncle Bernie, Grandma Vel, Grandpa Jose, and I went to the reception after Mass to get pictures with Bishop Kane and enjoy some treats.  Mom, Grandma Dottie, Aunt June, and Eric returned home.  Eric went to DiNico's to pick up a large pizza, probably the stadium size.  We also had a large pot of soup from a starter mix.

I got many wonderful gifts.  On Dad's prompting, he and Mom got me a book of Bible verses for teens.  Abuela/Grandma Vel and Abuelo/Grandpa José offered me some wonderful gifts, including art images.  The Gospel reading for that weekend's Sunday liturgy, which was used at Mass, was the story of when important religious figures tried to trap Jesus by asking Him if it was lawful to pay the tax or not.  Abuelo gave me a card with an image of a painting of this story.  I keep it in the Bible I got as a gift upon completing Religious Education toward the end of 8th grade at the page with Matthew 22:15-22.  Abuela gave me a hand-drawn sketch of the Holy Family.  She found it at the St. Cornelius rummage sale.  Based on the note written on back, it was given to a priest named Father George upon his ordination.  Grandma also included some Holy Spirit prayers.

The Holy Family is a model for all us for how we can grow in virtue and holiness together as a family and so live fully aware of God's presence.  What flowed forth from special divine encounters like Confirmation brought meaning to what we shared together as a family in you, 1036.

With joy in the Holy Spirit, and with gladness before and gratitude to God, I declare that you shall not fade into the background but remain deep in my heart as that dearly beloved place.

We remain ever connected:

All my relations.

God's blessings,

Paul

Continued Learning in the Spirit

As I mark the 20th anniversary of my Confirmation, I reflect on what I've continued to learn in those 20 years, especially in light of my involvement with Religious Education.

I studied the 7 Gifts of the Holy Spirit, especially through creating a scrapbook as part of preparing for Confirmation.  My understanding has deepened of those Gifts that are an important effect of Confirmation.  There are gifts that help us to be in tune with God's perspective, and those help us boldly live out our faith.

During my own preparation for Confirmation, I selected the name St. George.  In the 20 years since Confirmation, I've learned so many other amazing saint stories.  It's also inspiring to follow the causes of canonization and see the important steps unfold, like with St. Carlo Acutis, and also Blessed Father Michael McGivney, whose Beatification Mass I watched.  Another inspiring story is that of Servant of God Michelle Duppong.  These saints come from all walks of life, showing that holiness is meant universally for all, and we are called to grow in holiness wherever God places us, so that He may be magnified and glorified.