Patron Saints of Accounting: Lessons from Two Unexpected Holy Ones

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For many people, accounting is simply about numbers, tax forms, audits, and financial reports. Yet behind every balance sheet is something much more important: trust.

Whether an accountant serves a family business, a nonprofit, or a Catholic parish, the work requires honesty, careful judgment, and faithful stewardship. Those aren’t merely professional skills. They are Christian virtues.

I’ve always had an appreciation for the field of accounting. Before I was born, my mom earned an accounting degree and worked in the accounting department at Cargill (a major United States company that was expanding in the 1980s). After starting our family, she made the difficult decision to leave her career so she could become a stay-at-home mom. That choice never meant leaving accounting behind. My mom managed our family’s finances with remarkable care and, years later, used those same skills to help build a successful cleaning business. Looking back, I realize that her work with numbers was never just about mathematics. It was about serving our family well.

I’ve also felt a personal connection through my namesake: Saint Matthew the Evangelist. Before following Christ, Matthew worked as a tax collector, handling money and financial records every day. Although I eventually chose to study history instead of accounting in college, I can appreciate why the profession attracts people who enjoy solving problems, bringing order to complexity, and helping others make wise decisions.

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Safe in the Storm: Faith, Jesus, and the Journey Back to Shore

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Guest Post by: David Tonaszuck

A reflection on the Gospel of Matthew 14:22-33

My brothers and sisters, I want to begin today by telling you the story of a man—let’s call him Michael. Michael was a faithful husband to his wife, who had been handicapped for many years. He worked hard throughout his life, building a career in an office, supporting his family with love and quiet strength. But as the years went by, he found himself facing the challenge that so many in our world know too well—he was laid off, not because of his work ethic or his skills, but simply because of his age.

Michael had more degrees than most of us could hope for—multiple Master’s, years of experience, and the sort of reputation that makes people smile when they hear your name. Still, every application, every interview ended the same way: “We’re sorry, but we’re looking for someone else.” Each rejection stung, not just for what it meant for his own future, but for his wife as well.

Yet Michael refused to give up. He decided that if the world would not give him a job, he would make one himself. He studied, he passed test after test, he learned the ins and outs of financial advising, determined to help others navigate the stormy waters of their own lives. But it wasn’t easy. Each day brought a new challenge—one day it was marketing, the next it was finding clients, the next it was another bill he wasn’t sure he could pay. It felt, he later said, as if he was stuck in a tiny boat, far from shore, battered by winds and waves, and never sure if he would make it.

There were times when Michael felt completely alone. His friends could not help. His efforts seemed to disappear into nothing. He wondered if his boat—his life, his hope—might finally sink.

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The Simple Catholic Sunday Funnies: Episode 35

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Welcome to another The Simple Catholic Sunday Funnies! Growing up, one of my favorite parts of Sunday was flipping to the comics section of the newspaper: a little pocket of humor, color, and light-heartedness to start the week.

Now, in that same spirit, I’m excited to share this weekly collection of wholesome, funny Catholic comic strips. Thanks to the incredible talents of artists like Father Alvaro Comics, The Catholic Cartoonist, Sam Estrada, Tomics, and Fr. Michael DeBlanc. These comics bring a joyful twist to our shared faith, reminding us that laughter is one of God’s great gifts.

Enjoy Catholic comics!

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The Story God is Writing

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By: Jessie Wiegand

Why Do Stories Matter?

“Remember the story about the boy who didn’t do anything and nothing ever happened to him?” I asked my teenage son who was facing some major life decisions. “No, Mom, that’s ridiculous,” he replied. “Yes. It is,” I answered, looking thoughtfully into his eyes. He got the point. 

At this stage in my life, I’ve navigated being single, getting married, becoming a parent, putting my career and education on hold, the onset of an autoimmune disease, finishing that elusive degree, and returning to work. As the mother of five adult children, I’ve been through every season of parenting. As a Nana, I’m reliving those seasons from a privileged position that comes with a whole lot of fun and very little pressure.  There are so many stories wrapped up in those last two sentences that it would take volumes to contain their words. Many don’t seem worth telling. All of them are essential. 

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Jesus Christ: The Bread That Satisfies

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Guest Post by: David Tonaszuck

Reflection on the Gospel of Matthew 14:13-21

Dear Friends in Christ,

There once was a man named Anthony who seemed to have everything. His career was thriving, his home was beautiful, and his table was always full of the finest foods. Yet, despite these earthly comforts, Anthony often felt a strange emptiness gnawing at his soul. He filled his days with meetings and his nights with entertainment, but none of it brought him peace. One evening, as he walked home, he passed a homeless woman shivering on a bench. On a sudden impulse, he stopped, bought her dinner, and sat beside her as she ate. As they talked, Anthony listened more than he spoke. She told him about her hopes, her faith, and her gratitude for small kindnesses.

In that moment, Anthony felt something stir within—a spark, a warmth. He realized that all his worldly bread had left him hungry, but through this simple act of charity, he tasted a different kind of bread: the Bread of Life, offered through Christ, that brings light and love into the heart. That night, Anthony went home changed. The emptiness had faded, replaced by a quiet joy that seemed to overflow. He had found, at last, a food that satisfied.

From then on, Anthony sought out ways to help others, discovering that each small act of kindness left him more fulfilled than any luxury he had known. Sharing Christ’s love and grace with his neighbors, he finally understood what it meant to be truly satisfied.

God Provides

Today’s Gospel shows us a crowd hungry for more than food. When Jesus hears of John the Baptist’s death, He seeks a deserted place, perhaps to mourn, to pray, to grieve in silence. But God’s grace always overflows. The crowds follow, longing for something deeper than what the world can provide. Moved with compassion, Jesus heals their sick. As day fades, the disciples worry about bread. Yet, Jesus looks not at what is lacking, but at what God can do with even the smallest gift offered in faith.

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Why the Teachings of Jesus Still Change the World

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Sponsored: This article is made possible by Pockets of Heaven, supporting quality and engaging Catholic content.

What is the meaning of life? Is lasting peace possible? How can we overcome division? What should I do when I have no idea what comes next?

Human beings have asked questions like these for centuries. As a fan of science fiction and humor, I am reminded of the famous answer given in Douglas Adams’ The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. When a supercomputer is asked to determine the answer to life, the universe, and everything, it eventually responds with the number 42.

The answer is funny because it is both incredibly simple and completely unhelpful. A number cannot tell us why we exist, how we should treat our neighbors, or what to do when suffering enters our lives.

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