SMASHING TURTLES: Clemson Student Uncovers a Dark Side of Human Nature

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:58 pm By Kathy Schiffer

Why did the turtle cross the road? Changing habitat, mating instinct, egg laying…. There are plenty of reasons why a healthy young box turtle would set out for adventure on the other side of a busy roadway. Problem is, the population of South Carolina’s box turtles has declined—in part because of the reptile’s propensity for strolling out into traffic. When Clemson University student Nathan Weaver, a 22-year-old senior in the School of Agricultural, Forest and Environmental Sciences, structured his research... Read more

Person of the Day: St. Quodvultdeus

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:58 pm By Kathy Schiffer

In the Office of Readings for today, the Feast of the Holy Innocents, is a sermon from St. Quodvultdeus, bishop. “Who?” I thought. So here is his story: Quodvultdeus was a father of the church. He lived in Carthage in the early fifth century, and he became a deacon in 421 A.D. He corresponded with St. Augustine, who served as his spiritual mentor; and like Augustine, he was an opponent of Arianism. Augustine dedicated some of his writings to Quodvultdeus. When... Read more

Feeling Dusty? The Vatican Can Solve That….

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:58 pm By Kathy Schiffer

According to the Italian daily newspaper Corriere della Sera, Antonio Paolucci, director of the Vatican Museums, has introduced plans to “dust, clean and chill” visitors as they enter the Museum’s hallowed galleries. Paolucci announced that a shoe-cleaning carpet will be installed along the hundred metres leading to the entrance of the Museum. Along both sides of the walkway, suction vents will draw dust from clothing and lower the temperature, to remove body heat and humidity. “Dust, heat, humidity and carbon... Read more

Tattoos Gone Awry

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:58 pm By Kathy Schiffer

From the guys over at humortrain.com: A grammar lesson for tattoo artists everywhere. The Purdue OWL Online Writing Lab explains the problem: “A” goes before words that begin with consonants. a cat a dog a purple onion a buffalo a big apple “An” goes before words that begin with vowels: an apricot an egg an Indian an orbit an uprising Exceptions Use “an” before unsounded “h.” And yes, God is awesome. Read more

PRAYERS FOR OUR SHEPHERDS: The Christmas Mass at Dawn Remembers the Humble Worship in a Stable in Bethlehem

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:58 pm By Kathy Schiffer

For the celebration of Christmas, the Catholic Church provides separate Scripture lessons and liturgical prayers for four different Masses: the Vigil, Midnight, Dawn, and Daytime. Most of us, though, never hear the readings proclaimed for the Mass at Dawn; we are still tucked warmly in our beds at that hour. That’s an unfortunate loss, because the readings appointed for that Mass are filled with tender grace. After the presents have been unwrapped and the dinner has been savored, when company... Read more

He Comes in Silence

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:58 pm By Kathy Schiffer

Softly, like the newly fallen snow, He comes. In the stable, He is laid in the humble manger; but He longs to live in our hearts. Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence is sung in churches on this, the most holy night of Christ’s birth. It reappears during the Easter Vigil, when the body of Christ lies silent in the tomb. The hymn was composed in the fourth century as an Offertory hymn in the Eastern rite Divine Liturgy of... Read more

KISSING THE FACE OF GOD

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:58 pm By Kathy Schiffer

For a moment I wondered, Is this too sappy? Too wrought with emotion? But no—This is Mary in her humanity, glowing with love for her newborn. And it’s Jesus—winsome, eliciting coos and cuddles as only a baby can do. It’s one of my favorite Christmas paintings. May the Christ Child smile on you and yours this Christmas season, and may the New Year bring you every grace and blessing. Read more

Christmas Pardon for Pope’s Valet

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:58 pm By Kathy Schiffer

Earlier today, Pope Benedict XVI gave a wonderful gift to his former butler, Paolo Gabriele. He pardoned him—and he forgave him. Gabriele, you may remember, is the long-time personal valet who was implicated in the Vatileaks scandal when confidential Vatican documents were found in his Vatican City apartment. Gabrielle was arrested on May 23, 2012, and convicted by a Vatican tribunal on October 6. He has been serving an 18-month sentence in the Vatican Gendarme police barracks. According to Fr.... Read more

Vandal Shatters Statues in Louisiana Parishes

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:58 pm By Kathy Schiffer

I have a small statue of Our Lady of Prompt Succor. Years ago, when I was planning a conference in New Orleans, the statue was given to me as a reminder that she is the principal patroness of the state of Louisiana, the Archdiocese of New Orleans, and the city of New Orleans. Today I received the sad news that one of the landmark statues of Our Lady of Prompt Succor has been destroyed in Louisiana. A 35-year-old vandal with... Read more

What does "Jairus" mean in Hebrew?