Author Archives: Bill Schmitt

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

Tonight, Stephen welcomes…the Philippians!

Posted on August 30, 2016 by Bill Schmitt

If you haven’t completed your daily Scripture reading yet, you’re in luck. I can provide four profound Bible quotes, all from Paul’s Letter to the Philippians, pre-packaged in an entertaining video format. We can thank three slightly surprising sources–a politician, … Continue reading →

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Sing God a Simple Song — Bernstein, Holy Cross, and More

Posted on July 9, 2016 by Bill Schmitt

Thank you, Holy Cross Associates, for the national conference you’re holding this weekend at Holy Cross College in Notre Dame, IN. A great friend of mine invited me as his guest to attend the opening sessions this morning, which featured … Continue reading →

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Mercies are better in the plural

Posted on June 15, 2016 by Bill Schmitt

Let’s not risk a mercy shortage. Especially in this Jubilee Year of Mercy, I vote that we multiply the word and amplify its meaning so as to immerse ourselves in it. As I pondered the word one day, I looked … Continue reading →

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A word of apology … sorry, that’s the word

Posted on June 1, 2016 by Bill Schmitt

Elton John has sung, “Sorry seems to be the hardest word.” But the word “apology” and its derivative, “apologist,” seem even harder. Believe it or not, today’s feast of St. Justin, Martyr, is what prompts these observations. The Catholic Encyclopedia … Continue reading →

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Love Thee, Notre Dame, and the Grace of “Yes”

Posted on November 16, 2014 by Bill Schmitt

Thanks to @LisaHendey, author of two great blogs A Good Measure and Catholic Mom.com, for her article that cited my two books with University of Notre Dame Press: Football Weekends at Notre Dame and Words of Life: Celebrating 50 Years of the Hesburgh Library’s Message, … Continue reading →

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Joy to the Word — Not a misspelling, but an exhortation

Posted on September 7, 2014 by Bill Schmitt

Thanks to Notre Dame Magazine for inviting me to contribute to their “What I’m Reading” blog. You can see my response at http://magazine.nd.edu/news/50016-what-im-reading-the-joy-of-the-gospel-pope-francis/ Writing this blog post gave me a chance to meditate not only upon the joy that comes from getting to … Continue reading →

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Stephen Colbert, GK Chesterton, and Conversations of Hope

Posted on January 28, 2014 by Bill Schmitt

Here’s a shout-out to ACE’s own Patrick R. Manning for his cover story in the latest America magazine, noting that TV’s Stephen Colbert offers inspiration to catechists with his threefold approach: “delight, instruct, and persuade.” This connection between the ability … Continue reading →

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Now for a word from South Africa, via Popes John Paul and Francis

Posted on December 10, 2013 by Bill Schmitt

Thanks to Rocco Palmo and his “Whispers in the Loggia” blog for teaching me the word Ubuntu. Wikipedia defines Ubuntu as a South African word meaning human kindness. In tribute to South Africa’s Nelson Mandela, Palmo posted on Dec. 5 … Continue reading →

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This Whovian — or Whoosier? — Learned from the Doctors: The Present Isn’t Enough

Posted on December 2, 2013 by Bill Schmitt

The recent blockbuster episode of the brilliant BBC series “Doctor Who” got me thinking again about the danger of “presentism” in today’s world. Did you see the episode entitled “Day of the Doctor,” in which three different reincarnations of that … Continue reading →

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This Just In … EWTN News Nightly

Posted on September 4, 2013 by Bill Schmitt

The biggest news in Catholic news right now is the debut of “EWTN News Nightly.” Thanks to Deacon Greg Kandra’s blog, you can see the Sept. 3 premiere and enjoy intelligent commentary about the telecast. Thanks to Lisa Hendey’s blog, … Continue reading →

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