What an honor, to have the Pope fall asleep with your book in his hand! That’s apparently what happened with Cardinal Walter Kasper’s new work Mercy: The Essence of the Gospel and the Key to Christian Life. Pope Francis, addressing the extraordinary consistory of cardinals on the second day, veered from his prepared remarks to talk about what he was reading. He said: Yesterday, before falling asleep (though not in order to fall asleep!), I read-–I re-read Cardinal Kasper’s work,... Read more
An American “Bling Bishop”? . Wait: Maybe There’s Another Explanation. In anticipation of the retirement of Newark’s Archbishop John J. Myers, the Archdiocese of Newark is remodeling a Hunterdon County house which is currently his weekend residence, and which will become his full-time home in retirement. Archbishop Myers is 73 ½ years old and already has in place a coadjutor bishop, Bishop Bernard Hebda; so it’s likely that his resignation will be accepted upon his 75th birthday in 2015. .... Read more
Time for some high-spirited prayer! I don’t recall seeing the “American Idol” contestants perform this deeply religious tune, but I’m glad I ran across it today. There’s a lot of talent in that line-up, and a lot of praisin’ the Lord going on. Enjoy the amazing performance! Powerful American Idol Performance of Shout To The Lord from theremix on GodTube. Read more
“Brothers and sisters, Luther’s protest is over. Is yours?” That’s the message to attendees at a Pentecostal conference from Anthony Palmer, bishop and international ecumenical officer for the Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches, following a heartfelt recorded message from his long-time friend, Pope Francis. Pope Francis met January 14 with Anthony Palmer; but at the time the Vatican release no details regarding the meeting. Today, though, YouTube shows Pope Francis in a newly-released video which was captured by Palmer... Read more
What is the value of a man? Benjamin Franklin quipped that from the neck down, a man was worth a couple of dollars a day; but from the neck up, he was worth anything he could think of. As donated organs and parts, a human body might be worth several million dollars. Broken down into its constituent chemicals, it’s worth only about $4.50. * * * * * Pope Francis has answered... Read more
“The forgiveness of our sins is not something we can offer ourselves.” That was Pope Francis’ message to thousands of faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the General Audience on Wednesday, February 19. “…It is not the result of our efforts, but rather a gift from the Holy Spirit, which fills us from the wellspring of mercy and grace that surges endlessly from the open heart of Christ, crucified and risen again. … It reminds us that it is only... Read more
This out of Norway: A little boy sits shivering at a bus stop without a jacket. How will people react? At first, it appears he’s on his own; but then…. This video will warm your heart. Read more
A Utah mom who was upset about a line of indecent t-shirts featured in the window at a local store solved the problem in a unique way: She bought them all. Judy Cox was shopping with her teenage son at University Mall in the city of Orem, about 40 miles south of Salt Lake City, when they saw a provocative new line of t-shirts in the window at PacSun store. The shirts from the “Visual by Van Styles” line, intended... Read more
In 1947, modernist painter Marc Chagall painted a picture called Self-Portrait with a Clock. In it, the clock is centered at the top of the painting, like a blue bird in flight. The spread of its wings is reminiscent of the dove in Renaissance paintings of the Blessed Virgin. The hands are nearing three o’clock—the foreboding time of Christ’s death upon the cross. Beneath the clock the artist leans, his cheek resting on the head of a donkey. Is this... Read more
In the fall of 1979, Pope John Paul II, the 264th successor to the Apostle Peter, visited the United States. He was only the second pope to visit the U.S., and the first ever to visit the city of Chicago. He had been to the Windy City once before, as a cardinal; but his visit as Pope assumed a great importance to Catholics in that city and around the world. In a whirlwind 37-hour trip on October 4-6, the Holy... Read more
Seasons of Grace
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