A Letter to Dad
Orignially appeared in the Evangelist, April 6, 2018. Memorial Day arrives between the last Sunday of Easter and Pentecost this year. But when I reflect on Memorial Day, I must go all the way back to Lent. My father, Bill Styles, died in March 1975. Every March, I...
Praying Goodbye to Archbishop Flynn
Originally appeared in the Evangelist, October 8, 2019. It was a marvelous blessing when my former high school teacher, Father Harry J. Flynn, became pastor at my parish, St. Ambrose, in 1981. He brought the same joy and love of life that I remember from my days as a...
Spiritual fathers and spiritual Fathers
Originally appeared in the Evangelist, April 6, 2018 Like a double rainbow, my life has been blessed by fatherly wisdom from two outstanding men. My father, Bill Styles, was a whistling, happy funeral director at Styles Funeral Home in Troy. He saw each person, living...
Amnesia and Reconciliation
This originaly appeared in the Evangelist, April 6, 2018 As a pastoral associate for faith formation, I'm always seeking new ways to help children and adults deepen their understanding of the sacrament of reconciliation. I frequently use personal stories at parent...
Parable of the Gracious Stranger
This originally appeared in the Evangelist, April 6, 2018 "'Which of these, in your opinion, was neighbor to the man?' He answered, 'The one who treated him with mercy.' Jesus said to him, 'Go and do likewise'" (Luke 10:36-37, from the parable of the good Samaritan)....
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