St. Joseph Catholic Church

Bishop Robert Barron

Friends, on this Fifth Sunday of Easter, there’s a somewhat hidden theme that runs like a golden thread through the readings, and that theme is the temple.

Bishop Robert Barron

Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus makes it clear once again that he and the Father are one.

Institute Writing Community

Katharine Tarvainen St. Gregory the Great and St. Bede Writing Groups In the summer of 1920, a quiet young man arrived in the small New England town of Phillipsburg with a single suitcase and a pair of spectacles. The suitcase didn’t hold much, and the eyes behind the glasses couldn’t see much, but their deficiencies […]

Institute Writing Community

Michele Cohen St. Thomas More Writing Group Among the many reasons our short marriage failed were Neil’s accusations that I used my so-called novel (his words) as a way to escape reality.  “You’re always miles away, lost in the past, avoiding intimacy,” Neil said.  “That’s a little harsh,” I argued. “It would be nice to […]

Institute Writing Community

Maura Manktelow Sweeney St. Anselm and St. Clare of Assisi Writing Groups Sheridan checked her watch and groaned internally as she hurried down the quiet hall of the administration wing. Ordinarily she liked these meetings with her mentor Jeanne, whose experience and encouragement had been reassuring throughout her nurse practitioner training. But these last few […]

Institute Writing Community

Erika M. Walker St. Gregory the Great and St. Gertrude Writing Groups “Princess Sharon?’ The nervous voice of Sharon’s maidservants startled her awake. Sharon groaned, “What is it now?” “Today is . . . well it’s . . . the Royal Charity Ball is tonight!’ Sharon sat up at once, as her heart jumped into […]

Institute Writing Community

Helena Turner St. Gertrude the Great Writing Group Bridget walked through the thick fog toward the old church and quietly slipped through the giant double doors. She dipped her fingers in the holy water, made the sign of the cross, entered the nearest pew, and kneeled to pray. She was miserable. Exhausted from weeks of […]

Institute Writing Community

Jennifer Tan St. Thomas More and St. Francis de Sales Writing Groups “Sarah!” Her mother called as the twelve-year-old entered the house. She had just come back from her sewing class. “Can you please bring this walnut-raisin bread to Tabitha? She loves it, and I hope it’ll cheer her up a bit.” Tabitha, who lived […]

Institute Writing Community

Marsha Hauser St. Faustina Writing Group Jess paused in front of the dingy mirror that hung inside the waitress station at the Surf and Turf restaurant. Dang, I should’ve taken the time to wash my hair! I wonder if this’ll affect tonight’s tips? Meh, can’t do anything about it now, she thought as she turned […]

Institute Writing Community

Jim Benjamin St. Faustina Writing Group Fr. George Bennett stood outside after the noon Mass in the cool, early spring breeze. I wish I’d brought my jacket, he thought, as parishioners streamed by. He was hungry, and his knees hurt. Nevertheless, he tried to smile warmly. “Thanks, Father, for your homily.” “Father, can you come […]