Author: Tom Faranda

Very nice. Was vociferous in his praise of my Parish, Holy Name of Mary. Will post a few more pictures tomorrow.  

Too clever!  

Sometimes under the title of Saints John De Brebeus, Isaac Joques and Companions. By a funny coincidence Brigid and I went to Mass  at the Shrine of the Jesuit Martyrs in Auriesville, NY this past Sunday. We were up for a long weekend, staying in Broadalbin, and doing some hiking in the area (more in …

I think Powell could have been the first African-American President – but his wife did not want him to run. At the time of his death he also suffered from multiple myeloma. Colin Powell Dead at 84 from COVID-19 Complications Colin Powell, the first black U.S. Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs…

Here's a little video. There were all sorts of unsubstantiated rumors that he'd been done in by any number of factions.  And of course succeeded by Pope St. John Paul II who was Pope for over 26 years.  

Maryknoll world headquarters is in Ossining, NY where I am from. As a first and second grader (very long ago!), Maryknoll sisters were my “released time religious instruction” teachers. Despite having the title of the Catholic Foreign Mission Society of America, most of the Maryknoll vocations now come from abroad. “Maryknoll Sisters Elect New President…

"Let us never forget that if we wish to die like the saints we must live like them." — St. Théodore Guérin Note that her name is Theodore Guerin but she was designated St. Theodora – not sure why. Below I've put the miracles attributed to her, leading to her canonization. She was only recently…

In December, 1979 1980 (got an email from my friend John in Australia who was with us – I got the year wrong!) – Brigid and myself with three other couples drove from Port au Prince to Cap Haitien. 128 miles (just looked it up) and I recall it took well over five hours. Along…

I know several people with a strong devotion to Padre Pio. Evidently including Pope Francis – picture below. St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina (1887–1968) was born to peasant farmers in southern Italy. By the time he was 5 years old he practiced a life of penance and made the decision to give himself completely to…

From my friend A. B. by way of E.R. – A golfer is in a competitive match with a friend, who is ahead by a couple of strokes. "Boy, I’d give anything to sink this putt", the golfer mumbles to himself. Just then, some stranger walks up beside him and whispers, “Would you be willing…