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Saint Thomas Aquinas: The Theologian Who Taught the Church How to Pray

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By: Austin Habash

When most Catholics hear the name Saint Thomas Aquinas, they think immediately of dense theology, philosophical arguments, and the towering Summa Theologiae. He is often presented as the Church’s greatest intellect, the man who organized doctrine with unmatched clarity.

But this common picture is incomplete.

Aquinas was not only a master of theology. He was also a master of prayer. Some of the most beautiful liturgical and devotional texts in the Church’s life flow directly from his pen. To recover Aquinas as a spiritual guide, not only as a theological authority, is to rediscover a deeply underappreciated dimension of Catholic tradition.

This rediscovery has also affected my own spiritual life. Studying Aquinas daily for Summa in a Year began as an intellectual project. Over time, I found myself drawn not only to his arguments but to his spirit. He was a man who thought precisely because he prayed profoundly.

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From Darkness to Light: Embracing and Sharing the Healing Light of Christ

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Guest Post by: David Tonaszuck

A reflection on the Gospel of Mark 4:12-17

Dear friends in Christ,

Today’s Gospel from Mark (4:12-17) invites us to reflect deeply on the powerful theme of light breaking into darkness. We see this vividly in the life of St. Francis of Assisi—a 13th-century saint who left behind a life of wealth to follow Christ with radical love and humility. He founded the Franciscan Order, embracing poverty and dedicating himself to serving the poor and marginalized. Francis is especially remembered for his compassion toward lepers, those society feared and shunned, seeing them not as outcasts but as brothers and sisters in need of kindness and dignity.

Saint Francis of Assisi

In a time when lepers were cast aside and left to suffer in isolation, Francis did something remarkable. He looked beyond their disease and loneliness and chose to live among them, tending to their wounds and offering friendship when most turned away. His courage and compassion shocked society, but it revealed something profound: the heart of Jesus’ message that light breaks into the darkest places through love and mercy.

This is not just a story from the past. It echoes the Gospel we hear today. Jesus came to a world sitting in darkness—a world marked by fear, despair, and oppression. The people “sitting in darkness” and “dwelling in a land overshadowed by death” were those living without hope, trapped in spiritual emptiness. Into this darkness, Jesus brings a great light—the light of hope, truth, and salvation.

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From Knowing About to Knowing: The Humble Journey to Encounter Christ

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Guest Post by: David Tonaszuck

A reflection on the Gospel of John 1:29-34

Dear friends in Christ,

I want to begin this morning with a story that might sound familiar. Erin had always heard about Jesus. Growing up, she sat through Sunday school, recited prayers, and watched her grandmother light candles at church. It was all familiar, like the hum of a refrigerator—always there, easily ignored. Faith, for Erin, was something for the old or the desperate, not for someone with a job, friends, and plans for the weekend.

But life has a way of shaking our assumptions. In Erin’s last year of college, her parents split up. Her best friend drifted away. She felt like she was watching her life from the outside, unable to get back in. One night, overwhelmed and sleepless, she wandered outside, the air sharp with the promise of rain. She stared at the sky and, with nothing left to lose, whispered, “If you’re real, I need to know you.”

Nothing dramatic happened. No lightning, no voice from the clouds. But the very next day, a classmate she barely knew stopped her after class. “I know this is random, but would you want to come to my church group tonight?” Erin almost laughed. It felt too coincidental, but she said yes.

That evening, she sat in a circle of strangers as they read from the Gospel of John. When someone read, “I did not know Him, but the reason why I came… was that He might be made known,” something shifted inside her. Erin realized she’d never truly known Jesus—she’d only known about Him.

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The Simple Catholic Sunday Funnies: Episode 25

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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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A 781 Word Interview with Catholic author Kristina Schoh

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Editor’s Note: Matthew Chicoine interviewed Kristina Schoh, Catholic author, via phone and email on November 14th, 2025. Some of the questions/answers have been rearranged, edited, and paraphrased to provide the best reader experience without losing any integrity of the answers given.

Your book was inspired by noticing what your kids needed in their own faith formation. What moment first made you think, “I need to create a Catholic seek-and-find book”?

I found myself realizing that the only thing that kept my two-year old at the time quiet in Mass was a seek-and-find book. It was princess themed and I was searching for a Catholic version of it. 

It is a project that took 8 years to reap that harvest. So my oldest child was 10 by the time I finished this book. 

How did you find Voyage Comics? 

This is one of the favorite parts of my journey. I had many mentors who helped me. But when I couldn’t find a book publisher I took to Facebook. A couple people have commented about Voyage Comics and Michael. I found out that Michael is my 6th grade teacher’s son-in-law. And this teacher was one of my all-time favorites growing up so it was just incredible to have this connection to Michael. 

I had felt defeated time and time again when I was rejected from various publishing companies. It was difficult with family life, but I trusted in God’s plan that it was meant to be. Around when my third child was born one of my mentors, Sister Bridget Donaldson, had passed away and she knew that I was called to make this book. So that’s when I really buckled down to finish this project. Michael and I met for coffee in 2023 and talked to him about being an illustrator and having this publishing company, Voyage Comics. 

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With You I Am Well Pleased: Living God’s Call Through Humble Service and Love

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Guest Post by: David Tonaszuck

A reflection on the Gospel of Matthew 3:13-17 – The Baptism of the Lord

Dear friends in Christ,

Today, I want to share with you the story of Daniel, a man from our own parish—a story that quietly echoes inside each of us as we wonder how we might help build the Kingdom of heaven around us. And the truth is, it’s often easier than our doubts let us believe.

Since he was young, Daniel sensed God calling him to something more at every Sunday Mass, but he always kept his faith private, convinced he wasn’t holy or knowledgeable enough. Years passed until his parish’s faith formation director retired and Daniel’s pastor asked if he’d consider taking on the role. Daniel almost laughed it off, doubting his worthiness. But the priest smiled and told him, “Sometimes that’s exactly what we need.”

Daniel wrestled with the invitation, thinking of the Gospel story we hear today—Jesus’ baptism by John in the Jordan. Even John felt unworthy, but Jesus stepped forward, not for His own sake, but to do the Father’s will. Daniel saw that he, too, could spend his life waiting to feel ready, or he could trust that God’s grace would meet him if he stepped forward in faith. He said yes.

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