First-Ever “Confessional-on-Wheels” Takes the Sacrament to the Streets

November 13, 2015 By Kathy Schiffer

It sounds like something from The Onion, but it’s not: The Diocese of Lafayette has just unveiled its own flashy Forgiveness Ambulance–making it ever easier for sinners to confess their sins to a priest. The idea is that busy Catholics will have no excuse to stay away from the Sacrament. If they can’t get to confession, well, the confessional on wheels will come to them. Lafayette Bishop Michael Jarrell told television station KLFY that the mobile confessional will be formally launched on... Read more

Latin Mass Society President Photographs Nude Women; Archdiocese of Detroit Issues Warning

November 11, 2015 By Kathy Schiffer

It looks like the jig may be up for self-proclaimed “Catholic serial entrepreneur” Anthony Raphael Perlas. It’s recently come to light that Perlas, president of the Latin Mass Society and professional photographer based in southeastern Michigan, takes two kinds of photos: photos of demure young Catholic women wearing mantillas and chapel veils; and risque, even nude portraits and provocative videos. . On October 30, the Archdiocese of Detroit issued an internal advisory to its clergy, then followed up with a... Read more

Robert Lopez Grew Up With Two Moms–But He’s Not a “Hater”

November 10, 2015 By Kathy Schiffer

READ TO THE END, BECAUSE THIS IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO SIGN THE PETITION TO PROTECT DR. LOPEZ. Robert Oscar Lopez grew up with two moms. Lopez, who is now a professor of English and Classics at California State Northridge, was raised by his lesbian mother and her partner. He was loved, but it was hard–he always felt like a misfit in society, and he didn’t learn the relationship skills that would have enabled him to fit in. Lopez wrote a personal... Read more

IN GOD’S IMAGE: The Feast of the Dedication of the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome

November 9, 2015 By Kathy Schiffer

Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for the temple of God, which you are, is holy. — 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 For a tourist in Rome, there is wonder around every corner. Priceless antiquities are everywhere—the Colosseum rises beside the freeway, obelisks jut skyward in shopping malls, and ancient relics sit amid the Vespas in crowded parking... Read more

The Ben Carson I Remember

November 8, 2015 By Kathy Schiffer

I met Dr. Benjamin Carson back in, oh, about 1990. He was younger then (and of course, so was I). The first edition of his book Gifted Hands had just come out and he was a hometown hero in Detroit, where I was working at evangelical Christian radio station WMUZ-FM. Back then, a campaign for the Presidency wasn’t even a twinkle in his eye. He was a neurosurgeon, and a good one. He was a man of faith, and a devoted... Read more

You’re in Love? “Living Together” Is Not God’s Plan for You

November 8, 2015 By Kathy Schiffer

But everyone’s doing it! Indeed, to look around at contemporary society, it does seem that living together without benefit of marriage is just another option for a young couple in love. Perhaps they’re engaged to be married, and it’s cheaper to pay rent for only one apartment. Perhaps they’re not engaged but are simply trying out the relationship–and later, if everything goes well, they’ll consider making more definitive plans for a life together. Perhaps there’s no intent to marry, but... Read more

Will Catholic High School Students in North Dakota Be Forbidden to Pray at Their Playoff Game?

November 6, 2015 By Kathy Schiffer

Students and sports fans at Shanley High School, a private Catholic school in Fargo, North Dakota, have traditionally said a prayer before the football game in their school stadium. Now, though, that has to stop! The North Dakota High School Activities Association has told Shanley H.S. officials that they cannot say a prayer over their own P.A. system, in their own football stadium, before a playoff game this Saturday, because it’s a violation of the separation of Church and State.... Read more

When Your Children Leave the Church: Brandon Vogt Offers Hope for Heartbroken Parents

November 6, 2015 By Kathy Schiffer

If you’re a Catholic parent, you know the joy that comes from seeing your child grow in the faith. On the day of his baptism, you rejoiced at the new life in Christ–anticipating years of loving and shared faith, and then an eternity together. When she received her First Holy Communion, her sweet innocence brought tears in your eyes. But then…. [end peaceful happy music, begin painful screeching sound] during high school or college, or when out on her first... Read more

Statue of Blessed Virgin, Lost Following Battle of Lepanto, Has Been Found

November 5, 2015 By Kathy Schiffer

On October 7, 1571, a patchwork fleet of Catholic ships primarily from Spain, Venice and Genoa, under the command of Don Juan of Austria, was at a distinct disadvantage. The much larger fleet of the Ottoman Empire–a force with 12,000 to 15,000 Christian slaves as rowers–was extending toward Europe. But Pope Pius V called Catholics to pray the Rosary, and the Holy League was victorious. The story was romanticized in Miguel de Cervantes’ classic novel Don Quixote and in G.K. Chesterton’s epic... Read more

Elton John Wants to Meet His Hero, the Pope

November 5, 2015 By Kathy Schiffer

Pope Francis has brought “hope and change” to the 21st century. At least that’s what Elton John thinks. The musician, who is announced this week that he is planning to meet Russian president Vladimir Putin, would also like to meet Pope Francis. His agenda for each meeting: to promote homosexual rights. Speaking on BBC Radio 4, Sir John expressed his view that Pope Francis is pushing hard against the African cardinals and bishops who fought at the recent synod to defend... Read more