Viewpoints

Twenty-five years ago Hallmark introduced a simple device that revolutionized the mechanics of gift-giving: a paper bag attached to two handles.

The gift bag freed us from tape and scissors, from sizing and snipping and folding. It enabled us to shop on the run, to pick up present and package in one quick stop -- en route to the party, even.

Some nights, when there are no clouds, I look up at the night sky hoping to see so many twinkling stars. But the lights of the city are bright where I live. They can obscure the lights of the heavens and thus make it difficult to notice anything more than the most brilliant of stars.

At my dad's farm, miles and miles away from the city, it's a different story. A seemingly different sky.

One hundred of us gathered in late September to support and pray with a friend who has been battling cancer for more than a decade. We came together on a Saturday morning -- family, friends, fellow parishioners -- to a celebration of Mass. Grace filled the church. You could feel it. You could hear it. You could see it. This is a woman of incredible faith who has inspired my wife, me and many others who are enduring the "million battles" of life.

Since the dawn of popular psychology, many of us have become too familiar and comfortable with naming our feelings and being more open in expressing our sense of reality. We have not only learned to say what we feel, but also know how to say what we feel more effectively.

A good example of the latter is the subjective manner of our speech, especially when speaking to others about our perceptions. The basic idea and value behind this ability to personalize our sentiments is that the more we take ownership of our statements, the more effective our communication will be.

On Nov. 1 we celebrated the Feast of All Saints -- not just the saints who've been officially recognized through the Church's very thorough process of canonization, but all the saints.

Brad Soderberg is having fun and finding success as Lindenwood University's basketball coach.

It comes after a few hard years for him after being let go as St. Louis University's coach. Unlike some fans who quickly clamor for a coach's firing, I seldom see that as necessary, especially when a coach has had success before. It was tough to see in Soderberg's case because his record at SLU was above average. In fact, in his last year his team was 20-12.