By: Ted Rebard Fraudulent admission to universities has seen much press recently, and deservedly. In a few instances, beyond this, it has, and I believe more importantly been noted, that there are least two further and more widespread frauds involving university admission and attendance. First, it is simply false to imagine that everyone should, ...

Each and every one of us descends from a long and noble line of farmers. Because they lived their lives for others, many of our parents, grandparents and those from generations long ago who passed their Christian beliefs on to us successfully contributed to the propagation of both the faith and the human species. They worked and sacrificed, allowin...

“We asked 100 married men, ‘Who do you talk to first when your wife finds out you’ve cheated on her?’” I heard this question recently on a re-run episode of the classic dinnertime game show “Family Feud.” Funny the things we remember, right? Oddly, I also recall the number one answer was “bartender.” Really? Yep. The number one pe...

“The result of these shared experiences [in combat during WWII] was a closeness unknown to all outsiders. Comrades are closer than friends, closer than brothers. Their relationship is different from that of lovers. Their trust in, and knowledge of each other is total.” -p.21 Band of Brothers, Stephen E. Ambrose This quote has swung around in m...

This October I’m leading my first pilgrimage. It will coincide with a book I have coming out, The Beer Option: A Catholic Guide to Beer and Culture, which will be published by Angelico. The pilgrimage aims at exploring Catholic culture in its fullness: great art and architecture, food and drink, religious life, and the saints. My wife, Anne, and ...

If you want to grow, if you want to do great things, you need mentors to lead the way. Just as Jesus mentored His disciples, we need guides to point us in the right direction and show us how to progress toward it. I’ve been reflecting on mentorship a lot recently after having lost two of my professors, Fr. Matthew Lamb and Dr. Don Briel. Dr. Brie...

John Ikerd, Emeritus agricultural economist at the University of Missouri, observes that “to most economists, if the economy is growing, if it is getting bigger, then the economy is getting better, regardless of the consequences for social equity and environmental integrity.”[1] In other words what so often determines the defining feature of fi...

All forms of love are not totally selfless.  When we first “behold” a thing and feel love, we do so because it brings a sort of pleasure to us.  Its not totally selfless, and that is normal.  We are attracted to someone, and the pleasure of the attraction draws us in further.  Though not totally selfless, it is still a part of the path to s...

This article is an invitation to St. Joseph’s Farm, especially for men who have completed Exodus90 and want to take a “next step” in their fraternity.  Spots are open for November 17-19 for the men’s weekend, and November 10-12 for the father/son weekend. Fall is particularly beautiful in Western, NC, so don’t wait to sign up.  My w...

Walking through the door and hearing “daddy’s home!” is a tremendous experience. Whatever the circumstances of my day, or entry, they are immediately required to disappear. What matters in that moment is being present to my family, and being fully present is a task I hope to take into every area of my life. I have often heard stories about...