Here at Patheos, we like to say we are “hosting the discussion on faith”, and we try to live up to it. To that end, and as the Holy Father today declares open a dedicated “Year of Faith”, we at Patheos are today launching a dedicated Year of Faith Page. Every week throughout the Year of Faith that page will be showcasing Catholic voices from around the world, featuring people of all stripes and callings – women and men, and... Read more
About 20 hours from the time of this writing, The Year of Faith will be officially launched from Rome! Here at Patheos, we have something special planned — and a Facebook page to keep you up-to-date on everything new, but more about that later. For now, a quick question: Do you know where your Rosary Beads are? Deacon Greg wants to know; I still have my first set. Do you? It was given to me as a first communion gift:... Read more
Of all the topics covered during last week’s debate between President Obama and Mitt Romney, the only thing team Obama could exploit was Big Bird? Really? The Obama campaign on Tuesday unveiled a television ad mocking GOP candidate Mitt Romney for his calls to cut federal funding for PBS, saying it would do little to address the deficit. The sardonic ad compares “Sesame Street” character Big Bird, whom Romney mentioned during last Wednesday’s presidential debate, to corporate titans prosecuted for... Read more
I’ve said it for years: With socialism, excellence is always set aside for shared mediocrity. The idea appears to be that since it’s hard to achieve excellence for everyone, it simply should not be attempted; everyone should be satisfied with something lesser. We see the truth of it played out here. Rather than try to replicate the good stuff this Lunch lady is achieving throughout the school system, they just tell her to cut it out. Stop being excellent! Annika... Read more
A few days ago, while talking about myself I took a breath to mention Sarah Reinhard and her new book, A Catholic Mother’s Companion to Pregnancy: Walking with Mary from Conception to Baptism. It’s the first “Catholicmom.com Book” to emerge from the creative partnership between Ave Maria Press and Lisa Hendey. I recently met Sarah Reinhard while at an event in Dallas, and she is one of those tiny, dynamic balls of energetic smarts; not only is she raising three... Read more
Yeah, I know, indulgences have gotten a bad rap, thanks to past-abuse in our history, and myths do abound, but an indulgence is a good thing, and something that helps Catholics pursue active devotions and grow in understanding and piety. I’m really happy to read that the Vatican has decreed a plenary indugence for the Year of Faith: During the whole span of the Year of Faith, proclaimed from October 11, 2012 to the whole of November 24, 2013, all... Read more
August and September were unusually busy months — they flew by in a blur — and for that reason I wasn’t able to really clue in to what Brandon Vogt had in mind when he started a generous project meant to identify and promote Catholic speakers. See, I’m telling you that I was too busy to focus and get it, because I’d rather say that than simply admit, “I am dim.” Vanity, vanity! The second part of the project was... Read more
When we visited the Benedictine abbey of Subiaco in 2010, my husband — obedient fellow that he is — did not take pictures of the glorious and vivid ancient frescoes that so fully adorn its walls. It was a grief to me, at the time, because my eyes couldn’t take it all in, and I wanted to remember. But of course, I got the souvenir book, which I do look at, and there is the internet, where one can still... Read more
Obama already doesn’t answer to the mainstream press — and they’re fine with that which is why they never ask him directly challenging questions, or even simple ones like, “can we see your college transcripts?” I mean, that’s an easy one. And the follow up is easy, too: “why not?” Another easy-peasy: “define ‘transparency'”. So, forget the press. Obama does not answer to them and never will, because the press doesn’t even want that. They’ve worked very hard building their... Read more
I like Pat McNamara’s look into the background of Ven. Fulton Sheen: Growing up on an Illinois farm, a neighbor had told his father: “Newt, that oldest boy of yours, Fulton, will never be worth a damn. He’s always got his nose in a book.” Born May 8th, 1895, he was named Peter but called Fulton (his mother’s maiden name) throughout his life. From childhood, he knew two things: he hated farm life and he wanted to be a priest.... Read more
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