Posts in College
Labor Day Statement

Families have been receiving a lot of attention recently. In his encyclical, Laudato Si’, Pope Francis teaches that of all the groups that play a role in the welfare of society and help ensure respect for human dignity, “outstanding among [them] is the family, as the basic cell of society” (no. 157)…

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CollegeEdmund O'Brien
Just a Matter of Conscience (part 1)

We’ve all seen the cartoon or movie wherein a character stands smack dab in the midst of some momentary moral conundrum, suddenly the “devil” appears on one shoulder and an “angel” on the other – each entity trying their hardest to sway the will of the poor creature in the decision to be made…

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CollegeEdmund O'Brien
Forming Disciples on Campus

Those of us who are privileged to serve young Catholics on a college campus know that one of our first responsibilities is to catechize our students. Throughout my ministry I have learned that while sharing knowledge of the faith is central to anyone engaged in catechesis, our primary work is forming disciples…

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CollegeEdmund O'Brien
Calling in a Life-long Longhorn

This is my second year working in campus ministry at the University of Texas at Austin. I am an alumnus of this great university and will speak from the heart. I did not want to attend the orientation program for campus ministers in the first place…

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CollegeEdmund O'Brien
These Brothers of Mine

Even as a Catholic new to taking my faith seriously, I’ve heard this passage used  again and again, imploring us to serve the poor, or  donate to a visiting missionary in my local parish, or volunteering at the local food pantry. That is not to make light of or dismiss this passage…

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CollegeEdmund O'Brien
Wounds that Heal

I carry wounds. I carry scars. I carry pains. I carry all of these pieces of sadness, loneliness, challenge, and despair inside me. Some wounds are visible and others are buried deep inside my heart…

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CollegeEdmund O'Brien