No one but Terry Pratchett could write an appropriate scene for his encounter with Death, but upon hearing of the death of this marvelously inventive and wise writer, my imagination immediately went there. I pictured Pratchett before a fire, with a glass of wine, looking up and seeing the cloak and hood, and the staff, and then looking down, placing the Death of Rats by his SQUEAK! Death: TERRY PRATCHETT! Pratchett: Yes, oh is it you, finally? Death: (Looking at... Read more
Does anyone remember this little book, Why Am I Afraid to Tell You Who I Am?, by John Powell, SJ? I remember a friend sharing her copy with me in the late 1970’s, and I think we were both too young to really benefit from it. I may pick it up again, because I’m tired of being bashful, and I’m tired of feeling hesitant around people simply because in my life I have been bullied. I want to say, “screw... Read more
Given the burlap banners, the lack of kneelers (because heaven forbid we kneel before Christ in worship and adoration, particularly after Communion) the ridiculously pretentious (and dubiously licit) whole-wheat pitas and everything else Katrina Fernandez describes here, I would already be pre-disposed toward wanting to avoid the parish from which her grandmother was laid to rest, but this bit is really unconscionable, unpastoral, and in need of attention: Not only did he consecrate a wheat pita but when I went... Read more
Reading up in anticipation of Hillary Clinton’s scheduled press conference (which has not happened, as I write this) I must say I really, really love the way she looks here, in this pant-suit, which I am cribbing from this headline: That looks terrific. Black is always a great color on her; she is not buttoned up to the chin; the necklace sits beautifully; the 3/4 sleeves give her a relaxed and softened look. The white contrasts in buttons, shell and... Read more
Ordinarily, uplifting and emotion-grabbing videos are Deacon Greg’s bailiwick (he has one up today, in fact that is fun and moving) but — perhaps because my indefatigable grandparents were deaf — this one made me smile, and yes, tear up a little, so I thought I’d share it. It’s pretty lovely. Enjoy! Bored Panda has the whole story Read more
O God, who have given to us in Saint Frances of Rome a singular model of both married and monastic life, grant us perseverance in your service, that in every circumstance of life we may see and follow you. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. — Collect from today’s Mass Today is the feastday of Saint Frances of Rome, particularly... Read more
Looking out my window at the endless mounds of snow, I find I am where I was a few years ago: So, in the midst of all of this peacefulness, all this wonder, it seems strange that my heart is filled with a longing for something else: I am desperate to watch baseball. Even as I extol and enjoy this silence, I am already ants-in-the-pants to hear the crack of a bat, the whiff of a ball into a glove.... Read more
by Sherry Antonetti Mary Lou Rosien tweeted, “Married about 25 years: 19,500 loads of laundry, cooked about 10,000 meals, and scrubbed 4000 toilets. I need a Catholic conference for moms.” She’s part of a group of 27 men and women who have contributed talks to this online conference designed to refresh and renew women in their vocation as mothers. These fifteen minute or less Mom “TED-type” talks are the result of a year-round effort by Tami Kiser, and some of... Read more
This morning the editorial boards of four prominent and politically diverse Catholic news publications came together to call for the abolition of capital punishment in the United States of America. We, the editors of four Catholic journals — America, National Catholic Register, National Catholic Reporter and Our Sunday Visitor — urge the readers of our diverse publications and the whole U.S. Catholic community and all people of faith to stand with us and say, “Capital punishment must end.” The Catholic... Read more
Not to keep talking about about me, me, me, but here I go: In my column at The Catholic Answer magazine, I relate a little of what a crank I become when I am stressed out: Recently, I began the day very badly. I opened my eyes and was immediately stressed about my life, largely because I am so recalcitrant and backward. Even before my feet hit the floor I was grousing at God and barking orders at the saints.... Read more
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