On March 25, Pope Francis will consecrate Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary during a penance service. Why?

But don't make a big show of it either. There is a fine line between being a witness and being a weirdo.

The problem with this seemingly compassionate dictum is that today it is applied almost exclusively to one group: L.G.B.T.Q. people.

By listening we all walk together. Along the route of life we must encourage forgiveness but not exoneration.

Of the many things my dad passed on to his children, a reverence for our Ukrainian identity and the strong faith and spirituality that it nurtured in us is his greatest legacy.

While the church teaches that baptism is indeed necessary for salvation, God does not need us to complete a ritual in order to care for our children.