By Gary Topping– In religious education classes and homilies over the years, I have been taught that the Greek language recognizes at least two different types of love.  This first,…

By Michael Patrick O’Brien– Manifestations of divine grace are elusive. Often the best place to discover them is in the simple things—music, dance, wine, delicious food, and kind company. Some…

By Gary Topping— Our blogger-in-chief, Mike O’Brien, has shared with us many colorful and inspiring stories of his boyhood with the Trappist monks at Huntsville, Utah.  I don’t have any…

By Michael Patrick O’Brien– I fall in love with certain stories. When the tale ends, the gobsmacked me begs for another delectable chapter, a short paragraph, or even just one…

By Gary Topping– Like our chief blogger, Mike O’Brien, I’m a history fanatic.  Unlike Mike, though, history is my daily work.  While he’s there in his law office poring over…

By Michael Patrick O’Brien– Me a history nerd? Guilty, as charged. Yet, even for a history buff like me, landmark historical events are much more real if I can somehow…

By Jathan Janove (Guest Contributor)– (Editor’s note: Although based on a true story, this story has been fictionalized to preserve privacy and confidentiality.) Love Thwarted “Not again!” I said. “I’m…

By Michael Patrick O’Brien– A sad but inevitable fact of aging is that one must endure the pain of various forms of loss, including the loss of old friends. And…

By Michael Patrick O’Brien (copyright 2020)– (Editor’s note: This is part 2 of a short story work of fiction. Part 1 (The Absolution Algorithm, part 1) described how during a routine…

By Michael Patrick O’Brien (copyright 2020)– (Editor’s note: This is a short story work of fiction.) My dear departed mother probably is sad that my daily routine omits the regular…