Author Archives: Bill Schmitt

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About Bill Schmitt

Bill Schmitt is a Catholic journalist, author, educator, and marketing-communications specialist whose recent work can be seen on the Magis Center blog, in the diocesan newspaper of the Diocese of Albany, and in commentaries at “Phronesis in Pieces” on the Substack platform and at “OnWord.net”. As a secular reporter/editor, he worked at Gannett Westchester Newspapers, McGraw-Hill, Cahners Business Information, Kiplinger Washington Letter, and Chemical Week magazine. Bill has been an adjunct professor of English and media at several schools, including Fordham University and the U of Notre Dame. Full bio: Click "About" at billschmitt.substack.com

Marriage and Family: The Power Couple

Posted on August 7, 2017 by Bill Schmitt

Don’t miss the current episode of “Franciscan University Presents,” which is a most thought-provoking and grace-invoking discussion of the sacrament of marriage. The guest, Father John Riccardo, sets the stage in the first half hour with a discussion of the … Continue reading →

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Affluenza — The 20th Anniversary

Posted on July 5, 2017 by Bill Schmitt

(Originally written for the blog of my Secular Franciscan Order fraternity in Mishawaka, Indiana) This is the 20th anniversary of the broadcast of a documentary that has lodged itself in my heart and my mind. May I recommend it to you … Continue reading →

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God’s in the Details — and the Patriotic Songs

Posted on May 29, 2017 by Bill Schmitt

(Memorial Day Mass with the Knights of Columbus this morning allowed me to sing more than one verse of two wonderful songs of patriotism–“America the Beautiful” and “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee.” When you go more deeply into the songs … Continue reading →

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Pope Gives a TED Talk

Posted on April 27, 2017 by Bill Schmitt

  The power of “you” and “you” and “you” must add up to the power of “us” in order to bring hope through solidarity. Bravo, Papa Francesco. I know TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, and Design, but here I think … Continue reading →

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Dyngus Day Blessing

Posted on April 18, 2017 by Bill Schmitt

I’m playing the accordion again, and a great fund-raising event last night was a gig I’ll never forget. See the TV coverage, with a clip of me performing–even though the great musicians with whom I was privileged to team up … Continue reading →

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OnWord, or Onward, Indiana!

Posted on January 1, 2017 by Bill Schmitt

  Onward! It’s an appropriate sentiment for the first day of a new year. I couldn’t resist celebrating the persevering concept of Onward–and the town by that name–on behalf of the state of Indiana and on behalf of this OnWord … Continue reading →

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O Christmas Troy, O Christmas Troy

Posted on December 31, 2016 by Bill Schmitt

The Schmitts were once again in Troy, NY, to be part of a traditional big-family Christmas celebration with my wife Eileen’s siblings and the extended family. St. Augustine Parish has been a spiritual home to Eileen’s family for generations, and … Continue reading →

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Celebrating Cities & Classic Photography

Posted on December 12, 2016 by Bill Schmitt

My friend Lou Sabo, a South Bend native with a love of the historic urban scenes of South Bend and Chicago, recently presented a lecture and slide show at the Notre Dame Center for Arts and Culture on Washington St. … Continue reading →

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Designated Revivers

Posted on October 31, 2016 by Bill Schmitt

God bless my daughter and all the young people for whom this year brings a first chance to vote in the U.S. presidential election. Despite a sense of normalcy in everyday life and an environment of faith and virtues nurtured … Continue reading →

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… And Let it Begin with Me (Debate This!)

Posted on October 12, 2016 by Bill Schmitt

Patrick Coffin, an insightful and witty broadcaster skilled in interviewing and conversation, is starting his own series of video commentaries about our culture and today’s challenges to faith and reason. I just viewed the first entry in his YouTube series, … Continue reading →

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