Something that has been consuming my thoughts lately, or has at least become a kind of prominent backdrop to all of them, is the Resurrection of Christ. I mean the actual historical fact of His return from the dead. Maybe it's because I wrote to you about cremation last week. In any case, here is the first part of a two-part column on the event that changed the world.

My Aunt died when she was just 41. Cancer. She was one of the youngest of our Italian side, the beloved of the family. I seem to remember, however, that she found it difficult at times to receive that love, because I recall seeing underneath her smile a sadness. What is this sadness we see in others and sometimes in ourselves?

You may remember that last week, for the Mass of The Assumption, I spoke in my homily about the practice of cremation. I'm sure you will agree that we see cremation more often these days, and so I figured that since the Assumption was a celebration of Our Lady's being taken up into heaven body and soul, then was as good a time as any to bring up the subject. So then, while we're at it, let's start with a word on death.

Hello again, everyone! I'm back from resting with my family for the month of July in the home where I was living when God called me to the priesthood. Everything in their home takes me back to the beginnings of this life I live now with Christ. And in that way, visiting with my parents is an opportunity for me to be renewed and strengthened in my vocation.