Regular readers know that, outside of expressing shame, horror, disgust, sorrow and a sense of repentance for the scandals that have been roiling the church since 2002, I don’t discuss the subject much. It is a difficult subject, and sometimes I am a coward, and avoid what is too hard. With the exception of Bishop Finn and his epic fail, I don’t think I’ve written about any of the individual bishops or cardinals enmeshed in this awful heartstrain. But it’s... Read more
I was hearing rumors last night that the Obama administration may be walking back the more onerous, obnoxious and probably-unconstitutional tenets of Obamacare’s HHS Mandate, which rides roughshod over the first amendment rights to the free exercise of religion and contradicts Obama’s own words about the sacredness of a conscience. Here’s the first suggestions that something will come today (scroll down): *** White House to announce contraception rule? We are hearing that the Obama White House is telling abortion-rights and... Read more
“Brash” “Colorful” “Confrontational” and (oddly) “Bellicose” Those are the words that are being flung about today in memory of one of the great New York City mayors, Ed Koch, who passed in the wee small hours, at age 88. The one word these reports are missing is an important one, particularly when you're running the city called The Capital of the World: "Optimistic". Say his name one iconic image comes directly to the fore: the Mayor standing on the Brooklyn... Read more
Because time doesn’t permit, and because my interests don’t really ride there, I rarely write about anything touching on Michael Voris — I think the Church Militant needs to be balanced with Mercy in just the same way the Church Triumphant needs to balance with Humility, but I have enough trouble minding my own soul to get exercised about either gang. Occasionally, a Voris story blips across my awareness and then I’ll either argue against purges in the family or... Read more
When I invited Margaret Rose Realy to develop her beautiful blog here at Patheos, I did it for the authenticity and clarity of her contemplative voice, as with this voice: I remember a couple of months ago several Goldfinches rocketing across the backyard. I wondered if there was a disagreement about whose yard it was. Typical of these lively little birds, they are unconcerned about my purpose or presence in what they have claimed as their territory. They continued to... Read more
Deacon Greg put up a video today that’s super-worth checking out, so I decided I’l slip a good one your way, too. Stay with this one, because it just gets better and better as it goes along! UPDATE: Wow, a great night for great videos on the channel. Joseph Susanka brings us this terrific, Oscar-nominated animated short, Paperman. Must-see. Read more
I tripped upon this post from 2010 and re-read this from Proverbs 8:32-36 So now, O children, listen to me; instruction and wisdom do not reject! Happy the man who obeys me, and happy those who keep my ways, Happy the man watching daily at my gates, waiting at my doorposts; For he who finds me finds life, and wins favor from the Lord; But he who misses me harms himself; all who hate me love death.” That’s some great... Read more
So, I have a pile of books that have come my way, freebies–gifts from publishers or authors hoping I will read their book and recommend it–and I am feeling terrible that so many books have come in and received nothing but silence on this end. Since I really do need a little downtime from the ordinary routine, I think I will spend the rest of January trying to get at least a good sense of some of these books and... Read more
My column at First Things today looks at the remarkable, innovative new theme in our discourse: The repeated thesis was simply this: “so what?” Such a disarming question; the sort of question society has long-regarded as adolescent, arrogant, disdainful, and yes, more than a little snotty. It is a question that conveys a dare in its follow-up, whether spoken or not: “Just what are you going to do about it?” In a three day period, I encountered three variations of... Read more
I am enjoying wonderfully warm tootsies, thanks to this surprise gift from my hubby. I love it, and I don’t feel guilty at all. I join the Holy Father in saying Boorah, you pro-life marchers! It’s been over a decade since I’ve joined you in person, but every time I notice how warm my feet are, I will whisper up a prayer for your intentions. Might be a-lots of prayers! Go here for hot chocolate! Read more
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