Sinning Boldly in October Hey kids,Wanted to update you on a few events we’ve got coming up in the next few weeks in support of Sin Boldly: A Field Guide for Grace … THURSDAY, OCT. 27:30 p.m.Reading and Signing@ Barbara’s Books in Oak Park1100 Lake StreetOak Park, ILFor more information click HERE FRIDAY, OCT. 33-4 p.m.Reading and Signing@ The Wheaton College Bookstore 418 N. Chase Street, Wheaton IL FRIDAY, OCT. 3God Girl on Oprah Radio!!Cathleen’s hourlong interview with host Dr.... Read more

GODSTUFF PENTAGON MEMORIAL: MAKING BEAUTY OUT OF UGLY THINGS ARLINGTON, Va. — Shortly after 1 a.m., the taxi came to a stop in the Pentagon parking lot. We climbed out and walked solemnly toward the otherworldly glow in the distance. Two of my dear friends and fellow religion journalists, Jason and Michael, and I made the short journey from downtown Washington, D.C., to the Pentagon building in Arlington, Va., to visit the 9/11 memorial honoring 184 people who died here... Read more

GODSTUFF JOAN BAEZ: 50 YEARS OF PEACEMAKING They called her the “barefoot Madonna.” Nearly 50 years ago, when an 18-year-old Joan Baez lit up the stage at the Newport Folk Festival, she was an ethereal, earthy chanteuse who launched a revival of the Americana musical genre that continues until today. Now 67, her high soprano mellowed and golden with the years, Baez has released her 33rd solo album, “Day After Tomorrow,” a powerful collection of what can only be called... Read more

Sin(ning) Boldly in Washington, D.C. GOD GIRL GOES TO WASHINGTON! Hello Friends, On Monday, I head to Washington for the kick-off of the Sin Bodly national tour. If you’re inside the Beltway, I’ll be reading from, signing and speaking about my new book, Sin Boldly: A Field Guide for Grace (which has just gone into its second printing!), at a number of public events around town. Please come by and say hello. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 6 p.m. in the Holeman... Read more

Wow, it’s really raining a lot. Read more

GODSTUFF PEACE IS ALL IN OUR MINDS It wasn’t my finest moment. As we filed into the theater and were shown to our seats at the top of the riser far away from the stage — the nosebleed section — I grumbled aloud about what a raw deal I was getting. I was supposed to be in the VIP seats down in front. I was supposed to be getting special treatment. But there’d been a glitch, and there I was... Read more

GODSTUFF OURS IS NOT TO REASON WHY: GUSTAV AND GOD Father John Cusick and I spent part of our Sunday watching in disbelief as Hurricane Gustav roared toward New Orleans and the Gulf Coast of Mississippi, where we both have close personal connections to faith communities. For John, a priest at Old St. Pat’s in Chicago, his thoughts went to the families at St. Clare in Waveland, Miss., a parish on the coast that was destroyed by Katrina three years... Read more

Gustav and the “Screaming Frenchman”: Pray for the Bay! Those of you who are reading Sin Boldly will recognize then name Jean Larroux, aka “The Screaming Frenchman” — pastor of Lagniappe Presbyterian Church in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. The Bay, as it’s called, is where Katrina came ashore three years ago and where Gustav is headed as I type. Most of the Bay has evacuated, including all of Lagniappe’s staff except for Jean and one other fellow (as of Saturday... Read more

Sunday morning with God Girl and Kogan…LIVE on the radio Please tune in from 8 to 9 a.m. (CST) Sunday to hear an hour of conversation between God Girl and Rick Kogan, host of the “Sunday Papers” show on AM720 WGN Radio in Chicago. They’ll cover Sin Boldly and other stuff. Should be fun. We love Ricky. You can also listen live online at www.wgnradio.com. Read more

Amen. Read more