As I have written about before, neurosurgery for Parkinson’s Disease saved my life which I have the greatest gratitude.   Tuesday, I had my second Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) battery replacement surgery. DBS Surgery is a pacemaker for the Dopamine centers of the brain. I had the initial system implanted 6.5 years ago. My most current battery had dwindled over the last year, and I didn’t understand how much function I lost over a good six months until I had the... Read more

It’s hard to imagine. Even though my grandparents were not Catholic, they were devout Christians, Democrat, Pro-Choice, and strongly against right-winged ideology. So was the late Billy Graham.  How can a generation older than my parents be more liberal in areas like abortion rights and voting than my parents’ generation and even some of my generation (Generation X)? They took World War II and the Holocaust seriously, they knew what the signs of pending fascism were, they knew what true... Read more

After much self-examination and reflection as a mental healthcare provider of Educational Therapy, I have moved to a position of full patient and full family autonomy. In layman’s terms, this is patient and doctor choice for those over 18 and family, patient, and doctor choice for children under 18. This doesn’t mean that I like abortion, but I do support comprehensive supports which have been proven over time to reduce the abortion rate. However, I think it is unethical to... Read more

Good Afternoon! Yes, you read the title correctly. St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta was known and loved by many all over the world, but not everyone knows the extent of work that she did.  Her primary focus of justice was for the poor.  She also founded The Missionaries of Charity which was her primary ministry.    This ministry provided soup kitchens, dispensaries, mobile clinics, children’s and family counseling programs, orphanages, and schools.   Many do not know that her ministry also... Read more

A few weeks ago, I was a guest speaker on a podcast broadcast called, “Living Outloud with Laura.”  This is a secular podcast which addresses various LGBTQ+ topics. I was honored that Laura Campbell, the host, invited a Catholic like me to be on her show. Here are the list of questions she asked and I answered. There will be a second broadcast which will be released sometime in August. Since we only had time to address the first four... Read more

Choosing Science and Reality is Choosing Life and Love fits a pattern I’ve not only witnessed but experienced in the conservative Church for many years. Parentally, ministerially, and  professionally, this is why I shifted to progressive Catholicism. I am not saying that all conservative people are willfully-ignorant, but this mindset tends to be very prevalent in conservative religious circles.   The reality is, many conservatives (not all) and many conservative ministers are willing to risk peoples’ lives and tear families apart... Read more

Dearest Pope Francis, I cannot begin to imagine how difficult your position is as the most public religious leader in the world. I understand that the decisions you make affect many people, parts of the Catholic Church, and regions of the world. As fascism is growing and becoming dangerous in various places like Russia, Poland, the USA, and even in conservative parts of Africa, I want to focus particularly on Catholic politicians, Church leadership, and even laity who support fascism.... Read more

In my last two pieces, I wrote about Catholic Anti-Nazi martyrs who were canonized as saints later.  Today I am writing about a German Lutheran theologian, the well-known and beloved Dietrich Bonhoeffer.  In this piece and in future pieces during Pride Month, I will make parallels to modern-day fascism in the United States, Russia, and Poland. My primary source today is Encyclopedia Britannica and my husband’s personal experiences in Germany. Since the German Lutheran Church was hijacked by Nazism, and... Read more

In my last two pieces, I wrote about Catholic Anti-Nazi martyrs who were canonized as saints later.  Today I am writing about a German Lutheran theologian, the well-known and beloved Dietrich Bonhoeffer.  In this piece and in future pieces during Pride Month, I will make parallels to modern-day fascism in the United States, Russia, and Poland. My primary source today is Encyclopedia Britannica and my husband’s personal experiences in Germany. Since the German Lutheran Church was hijacked by Nazism, and... Read more

This piece today is about another Catholic Anti-Nazi Martyr, Father Titus Bradsma.  I am using Encyclopedia Brittanica, writings from The Titus Bradsma Institute, and a video from The Irish Province of Carmelites after my introduction in the next two paragraphs.  I will use variations of these throughout the next month of writings. Over Pride Month in June, I will dedicate my writings to remembering the Holocaust because we are experiencing a repeat and resurfacing of right-winged fascist history right now... Read more