This weekend, a friend of a friend needed some help quickly. She had just lost her mother to ALS. She was caring for two little girls. And due to all the time she’d taken off to be with her mother, she was out of money. She had nothing to give her children for Christmas, nothing to celebrate with. I had just finished my flash donation drive for the Friendship Room, so I knew exactly how to get help to... Read more
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke: The crowds asked John the Baptist, “What should we do?” He said to them in reply, “Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise.” Even tax collectors came to be baptized and they said to him, “Teacher, what should we do?” He answered them, “Stop collecting more than what is prescribed.” Soldiers also asked him, “And what is it... Read more
Sometimes it’s difficult to write out how I feel. I know, that’s the most ridiculous thing in the world to say, when I’ve been living on gratuities for writing out how I feel for the past five years. In so far as I’m known at all, I am known for saying snarky things about politics, and whining about how I feel. How I feel is my entire brand. I wish I had exciting updates to give you on all... Read more
I listened to the readings last night, at the Mass for the Immaculate Conception, and I began to ponder. I pondered Genesis, the account of the Fall of Man and their punishment. I pondered the psalm: sing to the Lord a new song, for He has done marvelous deeds. I pondered the epistle: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens. I pondered the... Read more
Ubi caritas et amor, deus ibi est. Where charity and love are, God is. When I taught in a Catholic enriched daycare for a short stint, I made the second and third graders learn that Gregorian chant response and sing it daily. They would get rowdy, I would shut off the light and intone the verse, they would repeat as reverently as they could. I had them learn the first verse, and we sang it as if... Read more
Now is the time of year for Christmas movies, and arguing about Christmas movies, so let’s get started. Now is the time of year where everyone talks about how much they like It’s A Wonderful Life, and I try to listen politely, but I just don’t get it. I know I’m supposed to be one of those people who finds It’s A Wonderful Life heartwarming because it’s anti-capitalist and all about sharing, but I don’t. I hate it. It’s A Wonderful... Read more
I wanted to write something lighthearted about Christmastime today. But I’m going to have to put that on the back burner again. Right now, I want to respond to the horrific school shooting in Michigan and its aftermath. I have no words for how shamefully everyone involved in this story has behaved. I wish it were something out of a black comedy instead of real life. Let me review what I’ve seen on the news so far. The information is... Read more
I do not know whether Roe Versus Wade will be overturned. I used to think there wasn’t a chance, and now I’m not sure. I wouldn’t be surprised either way at this point. I don’t think abortion will go away if Roe Versus Wade is overturned, because I am not delusional. I know that abortion has existed since at least ancient Egypt, and was legal in the United States in thirty states plus the military, and it happened in... Read more
I was not aware it was World AIDS Day. I was reminded that it’s World AIDS Day, oddly enough, by the Catholic League. The “Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights,” led by the legendary Bill Donohue whom I’ve lampooned before, is not typically where I go to get my news about AIDS. But I happened to see some of my friends quote tweeting a tweet from their official Twitter feed, and now I’m sorry I did. The tweet... Read more
A lot of you are probably taking part in clothing drives this time of year. This is good; a lot of people need help in the winter getting warm, dignified clothing to wear. We should all be helping in any way we can. People need warm coats, sweatshirts and jackets, gloves and hats and socks, and they ought to be the best quality we can provide. I think most people who participate in clothing drives realize that or we... Read more
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In