Author Archives: Bill Schmitt

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About Bill Schmitt

OnWord.net is the home for Bill Schmitt's blog and biographical information. This blog, initiated during Bill's nearly 14 years as a communications professional at Notre Dame, expresses Bill's opinions alone. Go to "About Bill Schmitt" and "I Link, Therefore I Am" to see samples of multimedia content I'm producing now and have produced during my journalism career and my marketing communications career. Like me at facebook.com/wgschmitt, follow me on Twitter @wschmitt, and meet "bill schmitt" on LinkedIn.

Idea for Pope Leo: A Holy Year for a Moment of Truth

Posted on June 30, 2025 by Bill Schmitt

Imaginary and hypothetical, written seriously and wistfully: MEMORANDUM To: His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV From: Bill Schmitt | “Phronesis in Pieces” Re: Proposal for a new Holy Year Date: June 30, 2025 This memo proposes that you declare 2026 a … Continue reading →

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Politics, Parades, and All They En-gender

Posted on June 12, 2025 by Bill Schmitt

The Democratic Party’s “Speaking with American Men” (SAM) project has given Americans plenty to talk about regarding attitudes toward dudes—and even more regarding personhood in the political battlefield. CNN’s Michael Smerconish opened his June 7 program with this summation of … Continue reading →

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Breakthrough Cure for Anxiety: Truth (Use as Directed)

Posted on May 28, 2025 by Bill Schmitt

The scourge of anxiety burdening millions of people is a reality we’re tempted to deny, but its many causes and impacts require attention. National Mental Health Awareness Month, observed in May, has challenged us to push back against today’s epidemic … Continue reading →

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Two Popes Speak a Common Language on Communications

Posted on May 15, 2025 by Bill Schmitt

Anyone tallying subject areas where Pope Leo XIV is on the same wavelength as his predecessor will find consistent and compelling themes in the Vatican’s 2025 message for the World Day of Social Communications. Pope Francis’ text for the 59th World Communications … Continue reading →

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Mr. Trump, Launch Synodality? Holy Father, Launch DOGE?

Posted on May 7, 2025 by Bill Schmitt

President Trump has at least one thing in common with the new pope who soon will lead the world’s Catholics. Particular managerial challenges have been building up for years—in America and in the Church—and now confront both men with a … Continue reading →

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The Fault is Not in our Stars, but in our Supporting Cast

Posted on April 20, 2025 by Bill Schmitt

If reading the latest batch of books about the 2024 presidential election has already made you feel “burdened by what has been,” plan to pursue a more timeless perspective, from a very different author, on April 23. This is when … Continue reading →

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During Lent, One Word Tells Us What Not to Give Up

Posted on April 5, 2025 by Bill Schmitt

When our observance of Lent prompts us to drop bad habits or start good ones, those behavioral effects ideally go beyond rote and become “habits of the heart.” Giving up candies for a while helps us to appreciate treats all … Continue reading →

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New Media Can’t Afford to Think Talk is Cheap

Posted on March 7, 2025 by Bill Schmitt

Newsmakers and their media enablers may or may not have valid ideas to express to the American audience, but the more obvious problem is their occasional failure to express those ideas civilly. One of our crucial democratic norms—authentic, informed public … Continue reading →

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Words That Keep the Christmas Spirit Alive All Year

Posted on March 6, 2025 by Bill Schmitt

by Bill Schmitt Published Feb. 10, 2025, in the blog of the Magis Center, Garden Grove, CA. One way to keep Christmas joy alive into 2025 is to hold tight to and continue reflecting upon bits of the yuletide vocabulary that our … Continue reading →

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A Personal Look at ‘Millennial’ Saint-to-be Carlo Acutis

Posted on March 5, 2025 by Bill Schmitt

By William Schmitt, Special to The Evangelist Published Feb. 6, 2025 Fr. Anthony Sorgie, Fr. Robert Hohenstein, Fr. Tom Morrette (pastor of Our Lady of Victory Parish), with relic of Blessed Carlo Acutis A parish event in Troy is set to … Continue reading →

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