Father Robert Barron is the founder of the global ministry Word on Fire, and the Rector/President of Mundelein Seminary. He is the creator of the award winning documentary series, “Catholicism” and “Catholicism:The New Evangelization.” Here, Father Barron offers his reflections on the 100th birthday of Thomas Merton. * * * * * I write these words on the one hundredth anniversary of the birth of Thomas Merton, one of the greatest spiritual writers of... Read more
Wherever you live, chances are you’ve seen Punxsutawney Phil on your TV screen today, looking nonplussed and sleepy and fat. Today, February 2, is Groundhog Day, and the oversized rodent woke from his winter nap and popped out of his hole to see his shadow, so–the legend goes–we’ll have six more weeks of winter. It’s a cute little story and it’s fun to play along, even though we’re getting hungry for spring. But how did the custom begin? Punxsutawney Phil has his... Read more
From the first scan to the first cuddle, every first is significant no matter how small they seem. For both baby and mom, it’s a journey full of firsts. And there’s nothing more rewarding than experiencing each and every one together. Thank you to Pampers for sharing the moments in a family’s journey of love. Read more
Gloria Steinem won’t be speaking about abortion when she visits the campus of St. Norbert College this spring, but that doesn’t make her visit any less problematic to Bishop David Ricken, bishop of Green Bay. In a written statement, Bishop Ricken said, “Really, she doesn’t need to. Her whole career and life is a grand affirmation of the pro-abortion movement. These types of approaches are outdated, tired and confusing ways to approach these issues, especially given the fact that the Catholic Church has... Read more
Remember when you were in kindergarten and you had an imaginary friend? Well, maybe you didn’t–but if you did, you’ll understand exactly how a single girl can get hooked on a deal like Invisible Boyfriend. Invisible Boyfriend and Invisible Girlfriend are the creation of a frustrated guy who got tired of family and friends pushing him to date. Matt Homann, co-founder of the start-up which launched last week, was newly divorced and, as he explains on the website, around Thanksgiving his... Read more
The year 2015 has begun with some high-profile legal cases pitting the Church against the State. The following six cases will impact Church/State relations, and should be of particular interest to concerned Catholics. 1. CONESTOGA WOOD SPECIALTIES On Friday, January 23, the Obama Administration was required to pay $570,000 to cover attorney fees for Conestoga Wood Specialties, costs incurred in its federal lawsuit challenging the Obama administration abortion-pill mandate. The mandate forces employers, regardless of religious or moral convictions, to provide insurance... Read more
Last month I told you about a controversial new video released by the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Culture, in preparation for the February 4-7 Plenary Assembly of the Pontifical Council for Culture, which has as its theme “Women’s Cultures: Equality and Difference.” Critics of the video thought that the Italian actress who invites women to send their concerns via video is too coquettish, too sexy, too flip. Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, prefect of the Pontifical Council for Culture, chose the theme. Only... Read more
Amy Elliott was only 1 lb. 3 oz. when she was born four months early, leaving her twin sister Katie behind in the womb. The Daily Mail reported the story of the Irish twins whose unusual births 87 days apart have set a Guinness World Record for “the longest interval between the births of twins.” Tiny Amy was born on June 1, 2012, after her mother’s water broke prematurely. She was not expected to live–but she did, and she was joined... Read more
February 4, 2015. Mark your calendar. That’s the day when oral arguments will be heard in the Eternal Word Television Network’s case against the HHS Mandate. The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, which is defending EWTN in the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, in its media advisory called EWTN “a Catholic network whose sole purpose is to spread the word of God,” and noted that EWTN must fight for the right to remain faithful to the very religious message it... Read more
So Half-Pint had a boob job. And then she didn’t. Melissa Gilbert is best known for her role as Laura, the bonneted daughter of a devout farmer (played by Michael Landon) in the popular TV series based on Laura Ingalls Wilder’s “Little House on the Prairie.” Gilbert appeared today on Good Morning America to talk her recent surgery to have her breast implants surgically removed. * * * * * The chronology of the star’s... Read more
Seasons of Grace
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