Articles:
February 28, 2025
As my wife Pat and I reflect on the 15 years the St. John Paul II Life Center and Vitae Clinic which we co-founded in 2010 with Chris and Sheri Danze, we think about our goal to help women who...
January 5, 2025
My readings from religious sources made Advent and Christmas particularly special. They raised wonderful questions and offered great guidance messaging about the life of Jesus and for each person’s life. Reflections on the Infancy Narratives According to Matthew: Where in...
November 14, 2024
Trump's Diligent Efforts And What Lies Ahead The long-awaited outcome of the 2024 U.S. Presidential election has finally happened. Thank God for the election of Donald J. Trump as President of the United States of America! A person, namely Donald...
September 7, 2024
Even though considering many of life’s important questions have been raging now for more than 52 years, there seem to be more questions today than answers regarding human life! To help understand how the John Paul II Life and Family...
August 22, 2024
A Loss of Trust. Bombarded recently by social media and the print media for decades, at least three generations of American youth have been fed information they could not rely on as correct or true. That bombarded information has become...
June 4, 2024
Life can change in a split second. My wife Pat and I experienced this first-hand a few weeks ago while visiting friends. How could I summarize? Shock. Utter shock. No time to think. No safety net. No “alternative plan.” No...
May 17, 2024
My wife, Pat, and I just returned from an important trip to Rome – a trip of gratitude, to give thanks for God’s guidance in acquiring a “Building For Life” with assistance of the Knights of Columbus Church Loan Program. ...
March 9, 2024
In the Bible, the book of Ruth illustrates the difference between those who step out in faith and take risks, and those who give into fear, play it safe, and miss God’s best for them. God rewards faith, not fear!...
January 17, 2024
Our visit to Medjugorje was much more than we anticipated. We went on this Pilgrimage knowing that Mary, as the Mother of Jesus and Queen of Heaven, is the greatest intercessor to her Son Jesus. Also, Medjugorje is a place...
November 15, 2023
Pat and I have recently returned from an incredible pilgrimage to Medjugorje and traveled by yacht along the Croatian coastline from Split to Dubrovnik. It was sponsored by the national office of Legatus. We joined a total of 40 pilgrims...
August 18, 2023
We all reach times in our lives when we are not sure where to go next. That’s when the excitement of the guidance of the Holy Spirit becomes so evident and so absolutely necessary. Sixteen years ago when Pat and...
July 13, 2023
What is the Battle? That is a reasonable question as there are multiple battles raging in society today at the same time, on different subjects – at the federal level, state level and local level. These battles are about issues...
April 12, 2023
Can A Dream of a Statue that Recognizes the Dignity of the Human Person Through “Mother and Child” Come True in Today’s America? Some years ago my wife Pat and I were at a Legatus Summit in Florida and on...
March 8, 2023
This year, 2023, is off to an exciting start! Rather than focusing on New Year’s Resolutions this year I was captivated by the writings in the Word For You Today: “With God all things are possible.” (Mt: 19-26) Many things...
December 14, 2022
Beginning to think about Christmas gets a power boost as we get into Advent and the four Sundays before Christmas day. Sharing the daily Bible readings of the Mass and the stories in the various daily devotionals we read gets...
October 28, 2022
In the Word for Today it references the book War on the Saints, where Jessie Penn-Lewis writes: [caption id="attachment_32607" align="alignright" width="253"] Extensive Voter Guides--including for states--compiled by Catholic Business Journal[/caption] “The chief condition…for the working of evil spirits in human...
August 31, 2022
Pat and I attended the Napa Institute Summer Conference in Napa Valley, California, held at the exquisite Meritage Hotel, then went to Carmel, one of our absolute favorite places. More on Napa later, but first to share something that happened...
July 21, 2022
There’s something of long-lasting, radically impactful importance resulting from the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent Dobbs decision that’s not being talked about. That “something” is the now-open potential for genuine respect for women and for providing true and natural healthcare for...
June 2, 2022
The much-awaited decision of the U.S. Supreme Court case of Thomas E. Dobbs, State Health Officer of Mississippi Department of Health, et al., Petitioners v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, et al. Respondents, herein Dobbs, is expected to be issued in...
June 2, 2022
A recent trip opened my eyes and greatly deepened my understanding about the foremost issues in our culture and society today. Let me explain... The Indispensable Role of Women In Today’s Society I have always been a strong believer in...
April 5, 2022
A quarter of 2022 has passed, and time is racing on. We are in Lent, the 40 days leading up to Easter remind us of the 40 days that Jesus fasted in the desert before He came to Jerusalem to...
January 25, 2022
So much has happened over the last 30 days and we have so many blessings for which to be grateful. Even so, inner anxiety and pressure to get things done can trigger unfortunate conflicts even among those we love the...
December 14, 2021
It is here again in the midst of a pandemic, the treatment of which is robbing many people of enjoyment and peace in their lives. But because of Jesus there is HOPE and we must remember that “Jesus Is The...
November 18, 2021
CBJ editor note: At Catholic Business Journal we are committed to showcasing Catholic business men and women who vibrantly live their Catholic faith in business, at work, in their family and in their daily lives. We are so proud to...
October 6, 2021
The last eight weeks have been amazingly unconventional! Nothing since March 2020 has been conventional. Covid-19 has turned everything upside down and made it topsy turvy. An amazingly unconventional time! From the ways we have operated—and had to pivot and...
August 18, 2021
I am so thankful that the Catholic Bishops voted overwhelmingly to approve drafting a paper for consideration at their November 2021, in person, United States Catholic Conference of Bishops (USCCB) meeting. The damage to the Catholic Church laity caused by...
June 2, 2021
I am like so many lay Catholics, regular parishioners in pews and parishes throughout the United States, who respectfully yearn to hear the voice of our bishops amid today's various shades of increasing social upheaval and confusion—a voice anchored profoundly...
April 24, 2021
If someone were to tell you there is a new religion sweeping across America and the west, would you be surprised? What if that person could show you this has been in discussion since the early 20th century, would that...
March 23, 2021
Being in the second tier of qualification (over age 60) to get the Covid vaccine, Pat and I got our second Moderna shot just a few days before the snowstorm hit Texas. As with many others, we both had a...
February 4, 2021
I have not written my monthly Catholic Business Journal article since December 2020. It has taken some time for me to understand my difficulty to complete this article. For me, it was not because of Covid-19, which has had a...
December 9, 2020
It is the time of Advent and the Gospel of Mark tells us to “Be watchful! Be alert!” This is an admonition of HOPE. Hope is defined in Wikipedia as an optimistic state of mind that is based on an...
October 12, 2020
QUESTIONS THAT NEED ANSWERS With the rioting and destruction of buildings, businesses, homes, and efforts to eliminate the police, does your family and you have the necessary safety you deserve? Is allegiance to our country and our flag respected today?...
September 22, 2020
Pat and I have recently returned from a trip to Big Sky, Montana, Yellowstone, and Grand Teton National Parks where we took our two recent high school graduate grandchildren – Logan Elisabeth Denmon and Wilson Luke Von Dohlen. This is...
July 14, 2020
There’s nothing like sitting outside on the 4th of July, the birthday of the United States, listening to great patriotic music and hearing a new Lee Greenwood song. Yes, I missed watching the traditional parade due to Covid-19 concerns, but...
June 8, 2020
This is the fourth month of our lives being impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic. We have gone from total uncertainty of the length and strength of the virus, to having some knowledge without definite assurance of the accuracy of the...
April 29, 2020
Even though I am following those tips I had for you last month about vision and wisely using our time during our shelter in place situation, I still sought inspiration to get me started for this month’s article. I never...
March 31, 2020
I could never have fathomed all the things that have happened in our country during March 2020. I must admit that particularly over the last two weeks, I have been in somewhat of a “funk” because of the Coronavirus pandemic...
February 23, 2020
In case you haven’t noticed, we are in a big year for Texas and national politics – it’s election season. Here are some questions to ponder: How can I best know for whom to vote? As a Catholic, are...
January 26, 2020
I still believe in New Year’s Resolutions. There are those who say don’t worry about New Year’s Resolutions because you don’t keep them anyway. My view is (1) even if you do not keep them they have caused you to...
December 16, 2019
Christmas is my favorite holiday and season of the year. Music adds so much to the magic of Christmas. We know that the first Christmas was the miracle of Christ’s birth to the Virgin Mary for the salvation of souls...
November 14, 2019
In my last article we looked at forming and accomplishing your vision, more on that later, and not worrying about being a people-pleaser. This month we look at someone whose actions demonstrate she cares more about the truth and doing...
October 31, 2019
It is time for us to look at some of the things influencing good, God-fearing people in the United States and to identify what is holding them back from taking action to accomplish an objective or preventing them from being...
September 3, 2019
Have you ever been to a country that was under control of the Nazis and then Communism? Do you know what those people experienced and how they did not have any of the basic freedoms that Americans take for granted?...
May 21, 2019
It has been a wonderful Easter season. In the process of reading the Bible and attending Holy Week and Easter services I also learned in reading from Bob Gass and the Word For Today about noticing that the “cross” has...
April 4, 2019
Going through Lent, we have been reading 40 Days, 40 Ways A New Look at Lent by Marcellino D’Ambrosio (Dr. Italy). A paragraph in Day 20 particularly caught my attention: “Modern media invades every nook and cranny of our lives....
February 27, 2019
Pat and I recently returned from the annual Legatus Summit in Dana Point, California. For those not familiar with Legatus it is an organization of leading Catholic business men and women from across America who are Ambassadors for Jesus Christ....
January 15, 2019
Here’s hoping your Christmas and start of the New Year has been wonderful with you surrounded by family and friends. Last year, I offered you some 17 recommendations for success in personal and business activities. This year I want to...
December 13, 2018
It was heartwarming seeing people across America saying prayers, paying respects and giving tributes during the service at the National Cathedral to the character, friendliness and love of family of George H. W. Bush, 41st President of the United States....
October 3, 2018
It appears the long hot, really hot, Texas summer is over. Can’t believe we have had nearly two weeks of near continuous rain. Pat and I have done our best to establish a few traditions during our 12 years of...
August 3, 2018
Continuing to share the pearls of wisdom from the Pilgrimage In The Footsteps of St. Dominic, as Catholic business men and women each of us has an obligation to witness (experience, reflect and share) to others about our Catholic faith....
March 14, 2018
Award-winning journalist Sue Ellen Browder opened her presentation at this year’s Legatus Summit by saying, “If you don’t tell your story—no one else will.” Her topic, “How I Helped the Sexual Revolution Hijack the Women’s Movement,” was both eye-opening and...
February 23, 2018
January 25-27, 2018, found Pat and me in Orlando, Florida for the annual Legatus Summit of Catholic leaders. The other Austin Chapter members present were Richard Benkendorf who has succeeded me as Chapter President, Lisa and Ken Ellis, Kim and...
December 8, 2017
It has been a particularly busy time of travel, events and family activities. We are in my favorite time of the year – the holiday season. It’s because it leads up to the most important event in human history –...
August 1, 2017
We returned on July 29 from the funeral of an exemplary Catholic businessman – Emil Ogden of College Station, Texas. It was not just his hard-earned financial success in the always turbulent oil and gas industry or his lifelong quest...
June 26, 2017
Pat and I have just returned from a week-long trip with two high school graduate grandsons – Trey and Patrick Von Dohlen. Both graduated with academic recognition. We went to Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. It was very unusual...
May 22, 2017
It was a great Lenten season. Aided by the suggestions in the book 40 Days, 40 Ways by Marcellino D’Ambrosio, Pat and I selected the ways we were going to participate daily and throughout Lent. What was unusual was that...
March 24, 2017
Having just returned from Washington, D. C. with our special friends Judy and Dick Ames, Pat and I were lucky to get out before the late winter blizzard hit the East Coast. It was a combination of work, sightseeing and...
October 13, 2016
Mother Teresa said, “We are not called to be successful we are called to be faithful.” That includes bringing our beliefs into the voting booth with us and voting accordingly. On a recent Sunday one of the Bible readings during...
October 7, 2016
(This is an absolute must-read article—ed.) At Mass on the 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time, I was captivated by the Gospel and Father Bud’s question to attendees. Luke 12 states: “Be sure of this: if the master of the house...
April 26, 2016
We experienced a wonderful Easter getting to have all the Von Dohlen clan together on Easter Saturday as Pat fed all 21. The grandchildrens’ excitement was elevated by getting to enjoy a candy packed piñata finally opened by several of...
April 21, 2015
Happy Easter! This was the best Lent I have ever had. Clearly, it was because of the book by Marcellino D’Ambrosio (Dr. Italy) 40 Days, 40 Ways: A New Look at Lent. You will do yourself a spiritual favor if...
May 16, 2014
My wife, Pat, and I were recently in Rome to attend the Canonizations of Saint John Paul II and Saint John XXIII. This trip was also a Pilgrimage to expand and enrich our Catholic faith by visiting historical sites and...
April 28, 2014
Now they have been proclaimed official Saints forever; worthy Catholic role models to emmulate now and for all future generations. Please go to the Catholic Business Journal Special Report Photo Gallery to see a short video clip of the Canonization...
December 20, 2013
My wife Pat and I so enjoy the Christmas season. Most of all we enjoy that from Thanksgiving to year end we can become more reflective. Sure there is the hustle and bustle to get everything done before Christmas, but...
Business Listings:
November 14, 2019
In my last article we looked at forming and accomplishing your vision, more on that later, and not worrying about being a people-pleaser. This month we look at someone whose actions demonstrate she cares more about the truth and doing what is right rather than worrying about what someone will think or say about her…
October 31, 2019
It is time for us to look at some of the things influencing good, God-fearing people in the United States and to identify what is holding them back from taking action to accomplish an objective or preventing them from being people who don’t just know their faith but live their faith outwardly. Two of these…
September 3, 2019
Have you ever been to a country that was under control of the Nazis and then Communism? Do you know what those people experienced and how they did not have any of the basic freedoms that Americans take for granted? My wife, Pat, and I had that experience this summer. We started in Poland, the…
May 21, 2019
It has been a wonderful Easter season. In the process of reading the Bible and attending Holy Week and Easter services I also learned in reading from Bob Gass and the Word For Today about noticing that the “cross” has two posts: vertical and horizontal. The vertical represents your relationship with God, what He wants…
April 4, 2019
Going through Lent, we have been reading 40 Days, 40 Ways A New Look at Lent by Marcellino D’Ambrosio (Dr. Italy). A paragraph in Day 20 particularly caught my attention: “Modern media invades every nook and cranny of our lives. In various schools and seminars around the world, future advertising execs, graphic artists, and filmmakers…
February 27, 2019
Pat and I recently returned from the annual Legatus Summit in Dana Point, California. For those not familiar with Legatus it is an organization of leading Catholic business men and women from across America who are Ambassadors for Jesus Christ. At the Summit, you hear nationally recognized speakers and learn the current status of things…
January 15, 2019
Here’s hoping your Christmas and start of the New Year has been wonderful with you surrounded by family and friends. Last year, I offered you some 17 recommendations for success in personal and business activities. This year I want to focus on 3: Dedicate your work (business and family) to the glory of God starting…
December 13, 2018
It was heartwarming seeing people across America saying prayers, paying respects and giving tributes during the service at the National Cathedral to the character, friendliness and love of family of George H. W. Bush, 41st President of the United States. It caused me to recall my personal experience with 41 in April 1981 when he…
October 3, 2018
It appears the long hot, really hot, Texas summer is over. Can’t believe we have had nearly two weeks of near continuous rain. Pat and I have done our best to establish a few traditions during our 12 years of marriage to each other. One of those is providing funds for summer camp to each…
August 3, 2018
Continuing to share the pearls of wisdom from the Pilgrimage In The Footsteps of St. Dominic, as Catholic business men and women each of us has an obligation to witness (experience, reflect and share) to others about our Catholic faith. The first place our group stayed was in the walled town of Avila. In addition…
March 14, 2018
Award-winning journalist Sue Ellen Browder opened her presentation at this year’s Legatus Summit by saying, “If you don’t tell your story—no one else will.” Her topic, “How I Helped the Sexual Revolution Hijack the Women’s Movement,” was both eye-opening and alarming as she revealed how propaganda has driven the outcome on the abortion issue, including the U.S.
February 23, 2018
January 25-27, 2018, found Pat and me in Orlando, Florida for the annual Legatus Summit of Catholic leaders. The other Austin Chapter members present were Richard Benkendorf who has succeeded me as Chapter President, Lisa and Ken Ellis, Kim and Bill Moore, and Michelle and Paul Tucker. It was a wonderful event with great speakers, good food, spiritual enrichment and entertainment from a 60’s legend Bobby
December 8, 2017
It has been a particularly busy time of travel, events and family activities. We are in my favorite time of the year – the holiday season. It’s because it leads up to the most important event in human history – the birth of Jesus Christ. The season evokes thoughts of those closest to us –…
August 1, 2017
We returned on July 29 from the funeral of an exemplary Catholic businessman – Emil Ogden of College Station, Texas. It was not just his hard-earned financial success in the always turbulent oil and gas industry or his lifelong quest for knowledge to advance his career and personal growth, but it was his steadfastness and…
June 26, 2017
Pat and I have just returned from a week-long trip with two high school graduate grandsons – Trey and Patrick Von Dohlen. Both graduated with academic recognition. We went to Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. It was very unusual to be in snow on June 15 and the Snake River was raging from the…
May 22, 2017
It was a great Lenten season. Aided by the suggestions in the book 40 Days, 40 Ways by Marcellino D’Ambrosio, Pat and I selected the ways we were going to participate daily and throughout Lent. What was unusual was that we had planned a trip to South America that had us away on Easter. We were in Trevelin, Argentina on
March 24, 2017
Having just returned from Washington, D. C. with our special friends Judy and Dick Ames, Pat and I were lucky to get out before the late winter blizzard hit the East Coast. It was a combination of work, sightseeing and visits to the Hill to obtain and share information. Attempting to follow Dr. Italy’s (Marcellino…
October 13, 2016
Mother Teresa said, “We are not called to be successful we are called to be faithful.” That includes bringing our beliefs into the voting booth with us and voting accordingly. On a recent Sunday one of the Bible readings during Mass was from the infrequently quoted Book of Amos from the Old Testament and it…
October 7, 2016
(This is an absolute must-read article—ed.) At Mass on the 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time, I was captivated by the Gospel and Father Bud’s question to attendees. Luke 12 states: “Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known when the thief was coming he would not have let his house be…
April 26, 2016
We experienced a wonderful Easter getting to have all the Von Dohlen clan together on Easter Saturday as Pat fed all 21. The grandchildrens’ excitement was elevated by getting to enjoy a candy packed piñata finally opened by several of the older grandchildren for all to scramble for the candy. It was a wonderful day…
