I never wanted to be a priest. But here I am. Newly minted Father Brendan, and still wondering how I got here.

"We don't go to Mass to give something to God, but to receive from him that which we truly need."

We hear so much about how stringent the church is, how unreasonable in her strictures, how strict in her unreasonableness. But there is no institution so unforgiving as the secular world at this, the most wonderful time of the year.

‘Now, I know I’m not the most grateful person you know, God, so let me take some time to tell you what I’m thankful for.’