2016-09-30T15:55:22-05:00

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:55 pm   By

Things haven’t gone so well for President Obama on this week’s three-nation African tour.  Obama, badgered by “birthers” in this country about his eligibility for the presidency, has downplayed his Kenyan ancestry; but in South Africa, retired archbishop Desmond Tutu embraced him, warmly wishing him “Welcome home” to the country where his father was born. The African archbishop went on to express his interrelatedness with America, teasing and reaching out to touch Obama’s arm.  “Your success is our success,” Tutu... Read more

2016-09-30T15:55:22-05:00

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:55 pm   By

As we enjoy the festival of light outside our window tonight, we also enjoy this stunning performance of “God Bless America” by Celine Dion. Yes, Lord, please bless this country.  Help us to find our way home to you. Read more

2016-09-30T15:55:22-05:00

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:55 pm   By

Vires in Numeris. The Latin phrase (English translation: Strength in Numbers) sounds biblical, but a quick word search failed to turn up any instances in Scripture; rather, it’s been used in music, in film, in a motorcycle parade.  More recently, the phrase has enjoyed a resurgence of popularity because it’s the motto engraved on the bitcoin. And today, some 61 religious leaders, representing millions of Americans from many faith backgrounds, have banded together in defense of religious liberty.  At 2:00... Read more

2016-09-30T15:55:23-05:00

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:55 pm   By

Sultry, sweaty summers can be made much nicer when good old-fashioned sex is part of the picture. But women, take heed: Don’t give in if your man, boyfriend, husband, toyboy is not voting for your best interests, your reproductive health — do not sleep with that man! That’s the advice from Huffington Post columnist Vivian Norris, who has called for a sex boycott until the men of Texas give women what they really want:  abortion. Norris went farther than that... Read more

2016-09-30T15:55:23-05:00

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:55 pm   By

Edward Snowden, the source of the “leaks” which exposed the American government’s surveillance against its own people, is still stuck in Russia. Like Tom Hanks in Steven Spielberg’s 2004 comedy-drama “The Terminal,” Snowden is apparently living in the airport terminal in Moscow.  He is unable to fly to another country because the American government has pressed leaders of other nations into denying him entry, and has revoked his passport. There are those who have gone along with the government’s assertion... Read more

2016-09-30T15:55:23-05:00

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:55 pm   By

On Friday, July 5, Pope Francis will publish his first encyclical, Lumen Fidei (Light of Faith). Looking forward to that, I can’t help but notice that it lines up perfectly with the themes of the encyclicals published by Pope Benedict XVI during his pontificate. Remember his first?  Benedict surprised the world when he published Deus Caritas Est (On Christian Love—God Is Love) on Christmas Day 2005.  The media was still referring to him as “the Rotweiler” and painting a picture... Read more

2016-09-30T15:55:23-05:00

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:55 pm   By

On Monday, July 1, as part of its ongoing bankruptcy case, the Archdiocese of Milwaukee will release thousands of pages of confidential documents regarding the sexual abuse of minors by Catholic priests. Included in the documents will be personnel files of 42 priests.  Also slated for release are depositions of Milwaukee’s former Archbishop Timothy Dolan, now leader of the New York Archdiocese; retired Archbishop Rembert Weakland; and retired Bishop Richard Sklb, as well as the deposition of Daniel Budzynski, a... Read more

2016-09-30T15:55:23-05:00

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:55 pm   By

Jeff Foxworthy is one cool dude. My observation is based on the fact that he is unashamedly Christian.   He started that cool show, The American Bible Challenge. He welcomed those smiling sisters, the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, onto his show and brought their charism of joy to the attention of the American public. And I just ran across this really cool Facebook meme, quoting him.     Read more

2016-09-30T15:55:23-05:00

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:55 pm   By

In the state of Texas, the law has consistently protected men from unqualified medical practitioners, and from inadequate and unsanitary medical facilities. Women, not so much. A man seeking treatment at an ambulatory care center in Texas can be assured that the facility meets minimum standards—with medical clinics, for example, having ambulatory surgical facilities on site, and attending physicians having privileges at a hospital within 30 miles of the clinic, in case of emergency. But a woman in the state... Read more

2016-09-30T15:55:23-05:00

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:55 pm   By

In the Middle Ages, pilgrims who made the arduous trip to Rome to visit St. Peter’s Basilica gazed with fondness and awe upon a larger-than-life bronze statue of St. Peter.  The statue, sculpted by Arnolfo di Cambio in the 13th century, depicted the first pope—his right hand extended to confer a blessing, while his left hand clutched the keys of the Kingdom, holding them close to his heart. But for many pilgrims who snaked, single-file, into the great Basilica, it... Read more

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