USCCB President Archbishop Kurtz responds to ACLU’s Lawsuit

Last updated on: March 12, 2015 at 4:47 pm By Lisa M. Hendey

You may have heard in the media this week about the ACLU’s suing of the USCCB on behalf of Tamesha Means. Here is a press release just send out by the USCCB in response: USCCB President Archbishop Kurtz responds to ACLU’s Lawsuit Church urges respectful, compassionate care for pregnant women and their children ACLU claims ‘baseless’ and lawsuit ‘misguided’ Catholic healthcare ministries show ‘fierce devotion to life of each patient’ December 6, 2013 WASHINGTON—Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz, president of the U.S.... Read more

Sweet Tweets for 12/6/13: Nelson Mandela, St. Nick and a Whole Lot of Joy

Last updated on: March 12, 2015 at 4:47 pm By Lisa M. Hendey

Since I am in the thick of book writing and likely won’t have time to blog much today, I want to take this occasion to invite you to pray with me for the repose of the soul of Nelson Mandela. As Cardinal Dolan said so eloquently, “Nelson Mandela was a hero to the world.” May his soul, and all the souls of the faithful departed, rest in peace. Thanks to John Clem, the Director and Media Minister at Catholic Web Services (http://catholicws.com/),... Read more

Help for the Unemployed: What’s the Best Advice & Support You’ve Heard?

Last updated on: March 12, 2015 at 4:47 pm By Lisa M. Hendey

Hey team, I could use a bit of help today on a writing project. I’m specifically looking for helpful advice and spiritual encouragement for folks who may be chronically unemployed or underemployed. I’d love to hear from you in the comments about advice you’ve given or received, and also about what NOT to say to someone who may be in this situation. Thanks — in advance — for your help! Read more

Small Success Thursday: Words

Last updated on: March 12, 2015 at 4:47 pm By Lisa M. Hendey

Over at CatholicMom.com, Sherry Antonetti has a fantastic “First Week of Advent” post up for Small Success Thursday. Her post made me want to write about the fact that my Advent wreath is up and that I’ve made time each morning this week for my Advent morning prayer, but I’m in a bit of a time crunch. So go read Sherry’s post, and the others that are linked there — you will be inspired. All I can muster this week... Read more

Evangelii Gaudium Day Five: PASTORAL ACTIVITY AND CONVERSION

Last updated on: March 12, 2015 at 4:47 pm By Lisa M. Hendey

Today, I continue my reflections upon Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium, The Joy of the Gospel. Find daily reflections on this teaching by a variety of Catholic authors and speakers at KellyWahlquist.com. Day 5: “Pastoral Activity and Conversion” (Paragraphs 25-33) Today’s section of EG is truly a set of marching orders for parishes and dioceses. If you have an sense that status quo could simply be good enough for your Church, look at the opening paragraph of this section... Read more

Evangelii Gaudium Day Four: THE CHURCH’S MISSIONARY TRANSFORMATION

Last updated on: March 12, 2015 at 4:47 pm By Lisa M. Hendey

Today, I continue my reflections upon Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium, The Joy of the Gospel. Find daily reflections on this teaching by a variety of Catholic authors and speakers at KellyWahlquist.com. December 4: “The Church’s Missionary Transformation” (Paragraphs 19-24) Having read yesterday in EG about the pervasive scope and nature of the New Evangelization, today’s reflection opens with a reminder that evangelization isn’t optional for us if we are to call ourselves disciples of Christ. “Evangelization takes place... Read more

Not Sneaking Out, but Pope Francis WAS a Bouncer

Last updated on: March 12, 2015 at 4:47 pm By Lisa M. Hendey

From Daniel Burke of Belief Blog at CNN: Video Link Read more

Evangelii Gaudium Day Two: THE DELIGHTFUL AND COMFORTING JOY OF EVANGELIZING

Last updated on: March 12, 2015 at 4:47 pm By Lisa M. Hendey

Today, I continue my reflections upon Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium, The Joy of the Gospel. Find daily reflections on this teaching by a variety of Catholic authors and speakers at KellyWahlquist.com. December 2: “The Delightful and Comforting Joy of Evangelizing” (Paragraphs 9-13) Today’s section of EG begins with a simple phrase: Goodness always tends to spread. Like a viral video or the latest dance craze, we tend to spread the good news about things that excite us. Don’t... Read more

Verbum Plus Libraries Take Great Resource to the Next Level

Last updated on: March 12, 2015 at 4:47 pm By Lisa M. Hendey

Note: I received a review copy of the Logos Verbum software but am not being compensated for this review. LMH Just in time for the start of the new liturgical year comes a big announcement from the team at Logos Verbum software, home of the powerful suite of scripture and Church teaching tools: Video Link If you’re not already familiar with Verbum, let me share a few of the highlights the “Basic” version of this powerful tool: Follow links from... Read more

Evangelii Gaudium Day One: A JOY EVER NEW, A JOY WHICH IS SHARED

Last updated on: March 12, 2015 at 4:47 pm By Lisa M. Hendey

Happy New Year! If you’re Catholic and you’re reading this, my greeting makes sense as we find one another on the eve of the first day of a new liturgical year and celebrating the dawn of a new Advent. I love Advent. That wasn’t always the case… In my younger years, Advent’s seemingly penitential nature felt like a “downer” when everyone else was scurrying around celebrating the Christmas season on the day after Halloween. Fast forward into my fifties, and I... Read more