The Grandfather Who Became a Priest

After a lifetime of love, loss, and family, Pat Bruen answered God’s call again—reminding us that vocation isn’t a one-time thing, it’s a lifelong…

Jun 16 • 

Matt Paprocki

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January 2023

Good news: I'm not optimistic

Being positive and ignoring realities will never solve a problem.

Jan 11, 2023 • 

Matt Paprocki

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December 2022

Fiona's epiphany and the American Dream

Every night, as a family, we pray.

Dec 1, 2022 • 

Matt Paprocki

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November 2022

Playing telephone with Edmund Burke and JFK

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”

Nov 23, 2022 • 

Matt Paprocki

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Piña coladas and mayonnaise

Last week I got a tough phone call. My Aunt Nan was stopping her cancer treatment.

Nov 3, 2022 • 

Matt Paprocki

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October 2022

Rubber tanks, corkscrews and Winston Churchill

I like to think if I ever had dinner with Winston Churchill, he’d say: “Illinois Policy Institute has corkscrew thinking for Illinois’ problems”

Oct 27, 2022 • 

Matt Paprocki

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C.A.T.S.: Chicago Avoids Trash Surprises.

I do a weird thing when I take out my garbage: I kick the trash can two times.

Oct 6, 2022 • 

Matt Paprocki

September 2022

Happy kids and snacks for queens

Joseph Ocol decided his mission was not just to educate kids. He needed to save them.

Sep 21, 2022 • 

Matt Paprocki

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A challenge from ghosts and the pursuit of happiness

During difficult times, I’ve always wished I could turn to my dad for advice.

Sep 15, 2022 • 

Matt Paprocki

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The Russians and summer reading lists

One in 2 Ukrainians knew someone who lost a family member or was killed by the current Russian invasion, according to a new poll by The Wall Street…

Sep 8, 2022 • 

Matt Paprocki

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August 2022

1950 sitcoms and the horrors of pickleball

Nearly 10 years ago, I moved into an idyllic neighborhood.

Aug 31, 2022 • 

Matt Paprocki

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who we fight for

I have a moral question to ask you:

Aug 24, 2022 • 

Matt Paprocki

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