I’m kinda pooped from all the Benedict blogging of late. Meanwhile, a quick lookaround: From the Dept. of Silly Quesitons: Q: Did Laura Bush wear white to host the pope at the White House because she believes she is a monarch’s wife or because she is signaling an assent to the rampant rumors that President Bush will become a Catholic when he leaves office? A: Cueing the Twilight Zone music, I’m going to hazard a guess: Mrs. Bush and Jenna... Read more
Poster available at catholicposter.com I’m actually working on a piece answering various questions/rants that were sent my way during Benedict’s visit, but I haven’t had time yet to really put it together. But first and foremost I can answer this one question, which I was asked several times: Do you really, truly, actually believe that Jesus is Present – physically present – in the Eucharist? Oh, yes. Why shouldn’t God – who can raise the dead and walk on water... Read more
If you’ve never read the remarkable book The Seven Storey Mountain by Thomas Merton, you really should consider it. It’s not just for Catholics; it is a tremendously readable autobiography of a brilliant man on spiritual sojourn. One of those books you pick up and have difficulty putting down. I quote some of the book – and share how it made me think. Here is a video about Merton and the evolution of the book Read more
I don’t write much about my husband because he’s a private fella; now and again I’ll relate a period of puzzlement he may express regarding our children or the books that disturb his sleep, or some recipe-gone-wrong. I think once I referred to him as a “swell egg.” But after reading Rachel Lucas and Dr. Helen on this miserable toothache of a woman who recommends treating a husband like a child in order to achieve “parity” in marriage (dear Lord... Read more
H/T Gina Cobb, these two young boys from “Britain’s got Talent” put the pathetic contestants on American Idol to shame. And they are an adorable study in contrasts. Charlie Green is all swagger and finger-popping confidence as he channels Frank Sinatra – he can syncopate like Frank, coming in between the beats and over them! Even Bobby Darin couldn’t do that! He all but oozes his precocious musicality and the kid can scat, too! Meanwhile, Andrew Johnston comes up trembling,... Read more
Blogging reactions to the papal visit: The National Catholic Register has a great slideshow and lots of thoughts, you’ll like it. (Via) Deacon Greg Kandra quotes USA today’s wholly positive take on the pope’s visit. Keep scrolling; Greg was at Yankees Stadium and has posted some terrific pictures and gives his take on the day. The NYTimes Benedict Blog which had good writers but a rather clunky feel, has final thoughts. Liked this closer especially on the face of the... Read more
:::SCROLL DOWN FOR UPDATE::: It seems almost silly to say I am bringing coverage of Benedict XVI’s extraordinary sojourn in America to a close (actually, my final final thoughts are here) because the truth is I will likely be reading all of his addresses more closely and bringing them up in coming weeks, but the wall-to-wall writing will end here. I do want, though, to end with a thought that blipped through my head when Benedict was in DC, and... Read more
I looooove Rob Rainford at License to Grill, which I’ve only seen for the first time this week (see, I haven’t been glued to the tv watching only Benedict!); he’s handsome, I like his voice and his recipes are all so intriguing. For me that’s a cooking show trifecta! Tonight I tried the Grilled Chicken Drumsticks and followed the recipe to the letter except I used olive oil, since I had no peanut oil. OMG. Yum. Try it. I upped... Read more
A very moving and wonderful story When Beverly Ruiz and her wheelchair-bound son arrived outside St. Patrick’s Cathedral early Saturday they had no hope of getting inside. But all that changed when 9-year-old Aaron, who has muscular dystrophy, caught the eye of one of the Secret Service agents safeguarding Pope Benedict. Just moments before the historic Mass began, the federal agent singled out the mother and son and whisked them into the house of worship. “After the Holy Father arrived... Read more
For me, the most moving image of the papal visit thus far was watching Pope Benedict XVI leave the popemobile to walk, gravely and unassumingly, down the ramp at Ground Zero, to pray, bless the ground and meet with survivors and family members. He walked, all in papal white, wearing a light coat against the damp wind, arms to his side, his face solemn, and the world was quiet. And that image – at that instant – seemed earthshaking: the... Read more
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