“Keep that tree up until Epiphany!” they keep saying. “It’s still Christmas, you know! Don’t take down that tree yet!” they keep saying. They are imagining something like this: O, Holy Night! Whereas what hulks in our living room is more along these lines: Oh, holy crap. Epiphany, you’re on your own. Read more
Simcha Fisher’s greatest fan suggested rerunning this piece for Throwback Thursday. This post ran in March of 2013, during the Papal Conclave, back when things were stupid. I had forgotten all about the “Pope will be arrested if he leaves Vatican” rumor! Enjoy this glimpse into all that we have left behind, before this year’s stupidity train has a chance to gather steam. *** Catholic Memes has a nice summation of the stupid things the secular media just can’t stop saying:... Read more
Anonymous painting courtesy of Wikimedia Commons I’m telling my daughter the brightest version of something that is true, and something that we all need to remember: that the best way to deal with death and the afterlife is to remember, always, that it’s our behavior right now that decides which path we’re on. It’s a good thing to spend some time thinking about death, not to terrify ourselves or to revel in dark things, but to shed some light on our present choices.... Read more
These are a few of my favorite posts! And this is a picture of Maria von Trapp, for real, from her naturalization application: I would not have put a frog in her chair. Not. At. All. photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons Here are some of my favorite posts from 2014. I’ve only included ones that appeared in full on Patheos, and not on the Register or anywhere else. Sorry there are so many. I guess we know who my... Read more
image source Between FEMEN, climate change, and that ill-considered paintball showdown between Rocco Palmo and Bishop Coyne in the Sala Clementina, the last thing the Vatican needs to do is take any chances with any werewolves. You know there’s room in the papal apartments. They could put newspapers down on the floor if they’re worried about the marble. (I suggest L’Osservatore Romano, because please.) Read the rest at the Register. Read more
photo courtesy of Wellcome Images The state medicaid program should no longer pay for elective circumcisions in NH, says a proposed bill. The bill’s sponsor, state representative Keith Murphy of Bedford, describes the practice as unethical. “To me there’s something fundamentally wrong about strapping a baby boy to a board and amputating perfectly healthy, normal tissue,” says Murphy. The American Association of Pediatrics doesn’t agree that the practice is “fundamentally wrong.” In an August, 2014 statement, they said (emphasis... Read more
photo source Ever read a story a couple of times from a couple of different sources, and you still end up going, “But why did the president of Argentina adopt a Jewish boy to prevent him from becoming a werewolf who will eat unbaptized babies, grandfather, why?” And then it comes to you: Argentina is the Florida of the world. Things happen there, and there doesn’t have to be a reason. It’s just Argentina, that’s all. Heck, maybe they’re onto something.... Read more
Merry Christmas, everybody! I offered up Midnight Mass for all of you, especially for anyone who is lonely or grieving or in pain today. Thanks for another wonderful year of company. Over at the Register today, nine artists have graciously shared their lovely Madonna and Child artwork with us. Here is just one, by 16-year-old painter Noyuri Umezaki: Check out the rest here. Read more
Mark has the details: Fellow Patheosi and National Catholic Register blogger and all around Catholic pants expert Simcha Fisher and her rambunctious crew will be on the radio with me today at 6 PM Eastern talking about all things Christmassy (and maybe Hannukkahy too). To listen to Catholic and Enjoying Live! on line go here at 6:00 PM EDT. The show is live, so feel free to call in at 1–866–333–6279 and you can chat. And if you want to hear archived shows interviewing... Read more
Today I learned the word “macaronic,” which refers to a style of work where all kinds of languages are thrown together, not necessarily in the most elegant or scholarly way. Like, apparently, a peasant dumpling. Read about and hear the rest of ten of my favorite pieces of Christmas music at the Register. Read more
I Have to Sit Down
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