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John M. Grondelski

John Grondelski (PhD Fordham) was former associate dean of the School of Theology, Seton Hall University in New Jersey. He is a Catholic theologian with special interests in moral theology and the thought of St. John Paul II. All views are his own.

Latest Articles By John M. Grondelski

The Martyrdom of Stephen: An Unavoidable Corollary of Professing Christ

A day after the Nativity of the Lord comes the death of the first martyr. Confessing Christ is inextricable from the possibility of suffering. A commentary on today's readings.
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Keeping Christmas Whole: Dickens, Memory, and the Communion of Saints

Why do kids live and feel Christmas so much deeply than some adults? Maybe because for them, Christmas becomes everything.
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Wigilia: Poland's Christmas Eve Meal

Wigilia is the traditional Polish Christmas Eve meal, which has roots in and multiple allusions to Catholic practice. Here's an explanation of this faith-rooted custom.
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King and Savior

The readings for morning Mass on Christmas Eve combine two themes about Jesus: Davidic King and Savior. Let's see how!
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Malachi, or What's in a Name?

Today's Mass readings, especially Malachi,'s emphasize urgency: Christmas is at hand. Are you ready in the ways that really morally count?
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"Our" Children Are First of All God's

The example of Hannah in today's First Reading reminds us: our kids are loaned to us by God, who is "Lord and Giver of life." They are not our property.
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What Is the Purpose of a Nativity Scene?

What is the purpose of a publicly visible Nativity scene? And what belongs/doesn't belong alongside it?
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AN ADVENT "CHRISTMAS CAROL" RETREAT - XIX

Concluding our 19-part Advent retreat based on Dickens's "Christmas Carol" -- do WE know how to keep Christmas well?
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AN ADVENT "CHRISTMAS CAROL" RETREAT - XVIII

Continuing our Advent retreat based on Dickens's "Christmas Carol" -- the meaning of Marley's chains.
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AN ADVENT "CHRISTMAS CAROL" RETREAT - XVII

Continuing our Advent retreat based on Dickens's "Christmas Carol" -- one finite life and the infinite possibilities of doing good
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AN ADVENT "CHRISTMAS CAROL" RETREAT - XVI

Continuing our Advent retreat based on Dickens's "Christmas Carol" -- the sticking power and social dimension of moral conversion.
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AN ADVENT "CHRISTMAS CAROL" RETREAT - XV

Continuing our Advent retreat reflections based on Charles Dickens's "Christmas Carol," living out conversion in the present ... meaning "keeping Christmas in the present."
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AN ADVENT "CHRISTMAS CAROL" RETREAT - XIV

Continuing our series of Advent retreat reflections based on Charles Dickens's "Christmas Carol," how it takes a cemetery to seal a conversion.
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AN ADVENT "CHRISTMAS CAROL" RETREAT - XIII

Continuing our Advent retreat through Dickens's "Christmas Carol" -- modernity is concerned about "feelings" about death. Scrooge asked for feelings, too -- be careful what you ask for!
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AN ADVENT "CHRISTMAS CAROL" RETREAT - XII

Continuing our Advent Retreat with Dickens's "Christmas Carol" -- how often do we play dumb in the face of mortality?
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