“I’ve written a song,” he says. And he sings it all day long… and the next. It fills the rooms and his siblings throw pillows at him and I stop them and tell him that his work is good. “But Mommy, what if I forget my song? I’m starting to forget. It seems to change […]
Raging Crimson Waterfall Oh this twisting red river that saturates me Catapults me down in a mire of grime To sordid places I do not aspire to go Yet set out to so willingly Each time I want to do good My corrupted blood denies me[i] How wretched I am Who will rescue me?[ii] […]
The time has come. From now to November 6, a top priority of the Church and the pro-life movement has to be informing and registering voters and then getting them to the voting booths to take part in this year’s elections! Once again, the entire House of Representatives, one-third of the US Senate, and the […]
Please read part one of this article here: Using the Gifts God Has Given You. If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him. (Matthew 7:11) I remind you to stir [fan] into […]
Today the United States Supreme Court issued a decision upholding as a tax the provision of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that requires individuals to purchase a health plan—the so-called “individual mandate.” For nearly a century, the Catholic bishops of the United States have been and continue to be consistent advocates for comprehensive health care […]
Chief Justice Roberts sided with the Democrat-appointed four Justices ( generally considered “left-leaning”) and upheld the law) basically, looked at cynically, by playing word games (“mandate” vs. “tax”). The four dissenters wanted to strike down the law in its entirety. It was a 5-4 Obama “victory.” I have said all along that either way, opponents of the law […]
As I write this, the country awaits a decision by the Supreme Court regarding the scope of government power and intrusion into all of our lives for the foreseeable future. This is a crisis. It is not a crisis that will be resolved by the Supreme Court’s decision, regardless of the decision. Within our generation, […]
Kathleen Gilbert contributed to this breaking story. The Supreme Court has ruled the insurance requirement embedded in President Obama’s federal health care law is constitutional in a 5-4 decision Thursday morning. The High Court’s swing vote came from Chief Justice John Roberts, who was appointed by President George W. Bush. He joined the court’s liberal […]
Perhaps it was the rash of sexual-abuse cases on the part of public school teachers discovered during the 2011-2012 school year. Or maybe it was the poor impression of educators left by Wisconsin teachers union members in the wake of protests against Gov. Scott Walker. Or maybe parents finally took the time to go through […]
In July the U.S.will host the International AIDS Conference and there is promising news. The experts are now convinced that treatment is prevention. If those who are infected are identified quickly, treated so that their viral load is lowered, not only do they have a good chance of remaining relatively healthy longer, the risk that […]
By the Fireside I long to sit and write poems Warmed by a crackling fire I long to share With fellow poets, writers, and artists Drinking wine Listening to their readings- I have no fireside, And poets live far away The chores pile up I cook, wash, and sweep Though using a pen when I […]
While the country breathlessly waits for the Supreme Court to decide on Obamacare, there is another court battle to keep an eye on. This battle may not be as critical as the one on our health care system, but it is still important for the health of anyone with DNA. For decades the U.S. Patent […]
Talking to one of the 3rd graders one day, I asked him how his year was going. He said to me, “Oh, it’s going okay. I’ll be really glad when we’re done with fractions, though.” I shook my head understandingly, “Tough, huh?” Without missing a beat he said, “Well, not exactly, but they make my […]
Please click here for part one. In 1967 I was 14 years old. One summer evening at the cottage, dad and I were playing chess at a table outside. The last vestiges of sunset sparkled on the lake then fading into dusk. Crickets could be heard in the distance. A fire crackled in the fire-pit giving […]
Anticipation is building to a fever pitch in and around the nation’s capital as various types of leaders jockey for position and posture while waiting for that big moment when the Supreme Court reaches a decision on Obamacare. The questions remain: What will be the fallout and what can we expect? There are three scenarios […]
At a bridal shower today I was chatting with a friend who told me this true story about someone she knows- A woman was on a first date with a man. As they drove in the car to their destination of a nice restaurant, the conversation was lively and they found they had much in […]
The 50th International Eucharist Congress was held in Dublin between the 10th to the 17th of June 2012. The Congress was not confined exclusively to Dublin however but was in part celebrated at Ireland’s national Marian Shrine in Knock and at Saint Patrick’s Purgatory in Donegal. The overall theme of the Congress was “Communion with […]
Lately, I’ve been involved in a number of ongoing efforts and conversations regarding community. Basically, we’ve been trying to get at the crux of what community really is and how to live it, and that’s got me yearning to dig deeper into the subject. We hear the word “community” all the time, used in many […]
In an astounding show of solidarity, a diverse group of countries rallied together with the Holy See to successfully remove any mention of reproductive rights or population control from the final outcome document produced during the last round of UN negotiations at the Rio +20 conference this week. For the past six months, the UN […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Wisdom 1:13-15; 2:23-24; Psalm 30:2,4-6,11-13; 2 Corinthians 8:7,9,13-15; Mark 5:21-43) Prayer, A Time for a Personal Encounter with the Lord “He looked around to see who had done it.” (Mark 5:32) Sometimes our prayer life can feel a little like a gumball dispenser. We put a […]
An Awful Tempest Mashed the Air An awful tempest mashed the air, The clouds were gaunt and few; A black, as of a spectre’s cloak, Hid heaven and earth from view. The creatures chuckled on the roofs And whistled in the air, And shook their fists and gnashed their teeth, And swung their frenzied hair. […]
Saint Josemaria Escriva relentlessly telling it like it is: If you say that you want to imitate Christ… and yet have time on your hands, then you are on the road to lukewarmness. (The Forge, 701) The first time I read that it really stung. It stung so bad that I printed it out and […]
On June 23rd, the Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral of Providence, RI opened her arms to embrace three new priests, who were ordained in a marvelous ceremony that showed the Church at her finest. Bishop Thomas Tobin was supported by five fellow bishops, scores of priests, numerous joyful Religious, and delighted lay faithful—all of whom […]
