Twelve pro-life nurses have reached a successful agreement with their employer, the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, who they claimed in a lawsuit required them to participate in abortions or lose their jobs. U.S. District Judge Jose Linares said he would “continue to monitor the situation,” according to the New Jersey Star-Ledger, […]
During their brief existence, the Occupy movement has already yielded some benefits on the economic front. As Fr. Thomas Massaro of Boston College puts it: My gratitude to the Occupy movement grows directly out of my identification with Catholic social teaching…. In these years of high unemployment, blocked opportunity, crushing debt, anxieties about future economic […]
I recently strolled down Grant Street in downtown Pittsburgh and was struck by two images. First, there was the stirring life-sized Nativity that each year is displayed on the property of the giant U.S. Steel building. It is an inspiring sight. As I walked along, however, my eyes were distracted by something I was not […]
You know the saying: ”I was a great parent before my kids were born.” No doubt I fell into that category, and was a loving, patient and confident mother 24-7. Then our two little doses of reality arrived: How do I comfort an inconsolable infant in the middle of the night? Manage a fussy toddler throwing a […]
ST. JOHN, the youngest of the apostles in age, was called to follow Christ on the banks of the Jordan during the first days of Our Lord’s ministry. He was one of the privileged few present at the Transfiguration and the Agony in the garden. At the Last Supper his head rested on the bosom […]
This might be heretical, but give it a chance. God hasn’t struck me dead yet. Walking out of church this morning, a couple of days before Christmas, I happened upon a typical church foyer scene. As two older adults chatted near the door, a vaguely confused little boy of about two years stood looking around […]
As a writer, I find that my thoughts quickly turn into articles in my head. A recent at-rest thought was: What are the worst ideas in the world? High heels were my first thought. Heels prove that vanity lacks wisdom. Feet are for walking; high heels are anti-walking so regardless of what’s in your shoe […]
I chose to review The Catholic Briefcase for three reasons. It is written by a convert, like I am. It is written by a man who successfully integrates his faith in every aspect of his life, like my husband does. When I once carried a briefcase as a career professional, but not yet a Catholic, it […]
A tiny heart beat steadily within the baby boy’s mother. The blood circulating through that tiny heart would save us and change millions of human hearts across the centuries; hearts of stone and violence would melt into hearts of flesh and peace and joy. The infant’s birth was like no other birth. It had been […]
Did you wish all your Facebook friends a Merry Christmas? Sure you did. And probably clicked over to Linkedin, Google+, and Twitter too. Or maybe I am leaving out your favorite social media hangout. Social media is an important part of the online day for many of us Catholics and for many of us it […]
Night’s Companion Night is velvet blackness The lady knows that she is but dust and ash. So facing the Son she dresses for night In a borrowed dress of dazzling white She casts a gentle glow upon the earth, She herself hallowed in the night’s mist Faithfully the stars fall in behind her Soldiers at the […]
THERE is good reason to believe that St. Stephen was one of the seventy-two disciples of our blessed Lord. After the Ascension he was chosen one of the seven deacons. The ministry of the seven was very fruitful; but Stephen especially, “full of grace and fortitude, did great wonders and signs among the people.” Many […]
I did most of my growing up in Springville, New York, a small town boasting about 4,200 citizens in the southtowns of Western New York. The nearest big city is Buffalo, which boasts several verypopular sports teams. Buffalo is a sports town, despite a complete lack of national championships in any of them (though the […]
The Morning of Christmas Eve It is the morn Of Christmas Eve, Scrambled eggs I cook. Advent, Sunday, Fourth and last All fasting now forsook. The birds outside Are singing carols Pitched soprano-high. Above the frost Below the blue, Their midnight moment nigh. Then beasts will speak In whispers low, When Emmanuel did come, How […]
In the days of Caesar Augustus, an era of peace was established in the Mediterranean world after centuries of strife. But this peace was forged by the proud ambition of emperors and the edge of their armies’ swords. Upon this stage appears a baby acclaimed as king by eastern dignitaries. Neither Caesar nor Herod will […]
When I climbed into bed, the sheets felt like thin strips of refrigeration. I pulled the comforter up to my ears and shivered as I waited for my body to generate enough heat to turn my toes from blue to toasty. Now, at 3:35 in the morning, a wave of warmth rolls over me like […]
A Christmas Carole My day is ruined and it’s only ten o’clock! The baby screams and screams! Sick, sad eyes overlook His swollen, drippy nose. The red-faced, screaming baby Refuses Babies, his favorite book. He thrashes out of my attempted cuddles Landing on the floor. I pick him up with intentional gentleness and place Place […]
Tim Tebow haters finally scored on Sunday, when the 23-year-old novice quarterback for the Denver Broncos succumbed to defeat at the hands of 34-year-old Super Bowl veteran and New England Patriots powerhouse Tom Brady. Prior to that 41-23 loss, Tebow had been on an improbable six-game winning streak, pulling off one miraculous fourth-quarter finish after […]
The formal end of the U.S. war in Iraq on Dec. 15 enhances neighboring Iran as a major, unpredictable factor in the U.S. presidential election of 2012. First a look back: Iran’s mullahs already has one opportunity to affect American politics, in 1980. Their seizure of the U.S. embassy in Tehran for 444 days haunted […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Isaiah 52:7-10; Psalm 98:1-6; Hebrews 1:1-6; John 1:1-18) Christmas, A Time to Deepen Our Faith in Jesus Our Lord The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. (John 1:14) For two thousand years, we have celebrated this day—and for good reason. This was no ordinary […]
I am rereading Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol, the story about the change of heart wrought upon the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge after he is haunted by four ghosts who help him discover the true meaning of Christmas: peace on earth, good will toward all. In Dickens, the supernatural connects with the terrestrial and a wonderful […]
I am beginning to believe that it is true that Americans in general have no idea about how things really are in the rest of the world. For example, I am sure that many in the “Occupy” crowd have no idea that they are among the richest people in the world. And the cancellation of […]
The U.S. branch of the Salvation Army has quickly distanced itself from the Salvation Army International’s controversial stance on abortion as reported by WND. “When I read [the international group’s position] I was stunned,” Major George Hood, chief communications officer for Salvation Army USA, told WND. The International Social Justice Commission’s position statement “does not […]
Oh Christmas Tree! December 23rd has come And all my Christmas Shopping’s done. All gifts are hidden, Tucked away, Until the morn of Christmas day. When children wake, Like souls confessed, All light and bright, it’s Christmas Fest! Oh Gloria! We’ll sing and pray And open gifts on that Feast Day. Around the creche We’ll […]
