What’s in a church bulletin? Anything important? Do you take one home each week? Do you actually read it, or do you just check for certain reminders and bypass the rest? In our travels, I always make sure to pick up the bulletin of any church we visit. It is a wealth of information about that church community — an indicator of parish life. Only a very few times have I looked at a bulletin and said, “This parish is... Read more
Misogynists love to quote St. Paul’s admonition about the submission of wives to their husbands in Ephesians 5:22-33. However, they usually cite just the first three verses because, like all those wanting to twist the truth, they need to quote out of context. The lines about wives read pretty much like the societal rules of the times. St. Paul was steeped in those rules, having been a learned Jewish zealot before his conversion to Christianity. It is not unexpected that... Read more
In our travels, my husband and I happened to witness an unforgettable response to a parish priest who dared to bring up the subject of abortion in his homily. We were at a friend’s parish, and it was October, just before a national election. The point of the priest’s homily was that his parishioners had a responsibility to vote pro-life. He was very careful not to mention any candidate’s name or any political party. He talked only about pro-life issues,... Read more
We all identify with a lot of different categories: family member, occupation, hobby, political affiliation, club memberships, and so on. The one that ought to come first, though, is Catholic. God, country, family. That is the order of priorities I was taught, and it used to be a common standard. It meant you put God’s laws first. It meant you understood you sometimes had to answer the call to serve your country. It meant you set the common good before... Read more
Part of the attraction of traveling is the wonders you discover along the way. Among those are architecturally dazzling churches with fascinating history. As the “Wandering Pew,” my husband and I were delighted to attend Mass in Leadville, Colorado, at Annunciation Church, an absolute gem and part of the rich history of this town. Leadville sits at 10,200 feet next to the two tallest mountains in Colorado and the headwaters of the Arkansas River. It boasts of the highest golf... Read more
Why would I talk about a secular approach to the pro-life message in a Catholic blog? Because that’s the approach that works best. Millennials and Gen Z are the least religious generations since Roe and yet lean more pro-life. Further, those seeking an abortion, if religious, react defensively to a religious approach. Obviously then, our language and reasoning need to be secular. Among pro-life organizations, there is a great diversity in members and missions that defies the stereotypical image. For... Read more
At a conference two years ago, I met a woman whose daughter had just become a consecrated virgin. Nearly everyone with whom she shared the news asked, “What’s a consecrated virgin?” A consecrated virgin is a woman who has been consecrated by her diocesan bishop to a life of perpetual virginity. While she may live as a nun in a monastic order, the term is more commonly used for those who choose to live a dedicated life in the secular... Read more
Polls show a distressing, even shocking situation among Catholics concerning abortion. According to a 2019 Pew Research Center report: 56% of U.S. Catholics (those who identify as Catholic but are not necessarily regular church goers) said abortion should be legal in all or most cases. while the majority favor at least some restrictions, only 14% said that abortion should be illegal in all cases. Catholics are polarized on abortion along partisan lines, like most Americans. 68% of Catholics say Roe... Read more
How can there be any benefits to suffering? Pop philosophy says that no one should have to suffer. In our over-indulgent, instant-gratification culture, that idea is well received. Forget self-sacrifice, fasting or anything like that. Offer up our suffering as a sacrifice to God in repentance for our sins? That’s archaic Catholic rubbish, isn’t it? Suffering Is Part of Life No, that’s life. We have to deal with suffering, no matter how hard we try to avoid it or how much... Read more
Don’t be afraid to express your convictions! As a pro-life activist for many years, I can testify that you will more likely receive compliments than condemnation. I’m not saying that front-line workers like the sidewalk counselors don’t get some serious abuse. However, in ordinary situations, you will be surprised at the support you receive. T-Shirts A few years ago, I was in Los Angeles at a pro-life conference as a vendor with some religious T-shirts. One woman was interested in... Read more
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