The Origin of Open Door
In December of 1968, Father Chet was pastor of Holy Comforter Parish in Charlottesville, Virginia. It was his practice to mail the parish bulletin and his messages of reflections to a growing list of interested people. When he received a sizeable monetary gift to be used at his discretion, he formalized the operation and began in earnest to address a “variety of topics which might be of interest and of help in solving the problems, questions, and difficulties facing many of us today.”
This was the beginning of the Open Door publication. Over the next 40-plus years, Father Chet shared his wisdom and insights about spiritual, theological, and psychological topics. In 2020, we began republishing his messages.
Wholeness and Shadows: How to Begin Bringing Them Together
Father Chet, July 1983 (republished March 27, 2024)
To understand our shadows, we must first understand wholeness. Wholeness comes in two parts: First, we are whole as individuals when our mind, body, and emotions are fully developed. Integrity, completeness, maturity, sanctity are synonyms for wholeness. Second, when our goals are in accord with the dictates of our inner being and the will of God. Continue Reading
2024 Messages
The Dark Night: Feeling Lost and Abandoned
Father Chet, 1979 (republished February 4, 2024)
The Dark Night: Being Assured We're on the Right Road
Father Chet, 1979 (republished April 21, 2024)
The Dark Night Leads to Experiencing the Fullness of Love
Father Chet, 1979 (republished June 12, 2024)
Growing Greater in all Ways: Signs of Spiritual Progress
Father Chet, 2004 (republished Aug. 2, 2024)
Learning How to Pray, How to Listen Better
Father Chet, March 1979 (republished Oct. 4, 2024)
The Mystery of Christmas: Finding Love Divine
Father Chet, December 2002 (republished Dec. 8, 2024)
2023 Messages
Mercy, Trials, Amen: More on the Lord's Prayer, Part III
Father Chet, 1977 (republished February 11, 2023)
How to Encounter God: An Easter Message of Love
Father Chet, 1978 (republished April 16, 2023)
Living Out Freedom, Responsibility and the Dignity of Humankind
Father Chet, 1974 (republished June 8, 2023)
Living Out Freedom and Responsibility in the Midst of Complexity
Father Chet, 1974 (republished August 7, 2023)
Living Out Freedom and Responsibility: From Death to Life
Father Chet, 1974 (republished October 5, 2023)
Being Open to the Comings of Jesus This Day
Father Chet, 2004 (republished December 9, 2023)
2022 Messages
Faith, Hope, and Charity: Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Father Chet, 1996 (republished February 6, 2022)
Deepening Your Prayer Life: All that I Am
Father Chet, 1979 (republished April 5, 2022)
Deepening Your Prayer Life: The Practice of Prayer
Father Chet, 1979 (republished June 7, 2022)
United Under Our Father: Meditation on the Lord's Prayer
Father Chet, 1977 (republished August 9, 2022)
Who Art in Heaven: Meditation on the Lord's Prayer, Part II
Father Chet, 1977 (republished October 16, 2022)
Give the Gift of Prayer this Christmas
Father Chet, 1999 (republished December 4, 2022)
2021 Messages
Change: Knowledge, Resistance & Resilience
Father Chet, February 1, 1975 (republished Feb. 1, 2021)
Holy Week: The Redemptive Value of Suffering
Father Chet, Holy Week 1969 (republished March 30, 2021)
What are We Doing About Social Development?
Father Chet, June 15, 1971 (republished June 2, 2021)
A Crossroads: Unity in the Catholic Church (Part I)
Father Chet, March 31, 1973 (republished August 15, 2021)
A Crossroads: Holding onto Truth (Part II)
Father Chet, March 31, 1973 (republished October 2, 2021)
Advent A Gift of Time
Father Chet, Christmas 1992 (republished December 11, 2021)
2020 Messages
Evils in Our Present Day of Life: Indifference
May 1, 1969 (republished Aug. 7, 2020)
Our Personal Challenge: Meeting the Needs of Our Times
February 1, 1969 (republished Oct. 4, 2020)
Honoring the Incarnation of God
December 1991 (republished Dec. 3, 2020)