John’s boomerang journey back to his faith is one shared by a significant number of Catholics. Research conducted by the Center for Applied Research (known commonly as CARA) estimates there are more than five million Catholic reverts (i.e., equivalent to nine percent of all adult Catholics). Or another way to look at it, in a typical year, CARA estimates that approximately 168,000 people who were raised Catholic and left the faith (typically in their teens or early 20s) have come back.

In this final of three in our series on the sacraments, we look deeper at the two sacraments at the Service of Communion. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) states: Two other sacraments, Holy Orders and Matrimony, are directed towards the salvation of others; if they contribute as well to personal salvation, it is through service to others that they do so. They confer a particular mission in the Church and serve to build up the People of God. (CCC 1534)

St. Catherine of Siena, whose feast we celebrate this month during the Easter season, is one of four women recognized as a Doctor of the Church. She based her teaching about the spiritual life on love, and she knew God’s love for her. In her book, The Dialogue, she has God call her “Dearest Daughter.” She based her teaching on growth in the spiritual life and on the quality of one’s personal love, specifically, whether that love is selfish or unselfish. Because Catherine learned from the Scriptures and sermons, not from academic study, she was keenly aware of the commandment to love God and to love neighbor and of the teaching in 1 John: “If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ but hates his brother, he is a liar; for whoever does not love a brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.” (1 Jn 4:20)

Continue your Easter joy through the season of Eastertide (which continues until Pentecost on May 19) which contains a host of feasts, solemnities and other celebrations.

Every year we look forward to the Lenten and Easter seasons. For some, it may seem odd to say that we look forward to Lent. After all, isn’t this the time we dedicate to prayer, fasting and almsgiving? Those activities can lead to great growth and joy whether it is Lent, Easter, or any time of the year. The word “Lent,” in fact, means “springtime.”

Love is the antidote. Even when it is difficult to talk to our spouse, remember to keep on loving. Kindness and caring for your partner can help overcome any challenge.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, During Lent, many of us have the tradition of giving things up — whether it’s chocolate or social media or abstaining from our favorite beverage. We intentionally join our sacrifices to the sacrifice of Christ and thereby participate in his work of redemption. As we rediscover every year, what we give up is far surpassed by what we receive. In his triumph over evil, Jesus has given us new life in Him, a life that will have no end.

Some time ago I was despondent after receiving disappointing news. I thought I had done everything right to get my hoped-for outcome, and as insurance (OK, pleading) I prayed a novena and I enlisted my family and friends for prayer and support. I was confident it was just meant to be — that it was God’s plan for me. In other words, I knew best and was just getting God on board.