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Preparing the Way for the Roman Missal 3rd Edition, Part 8: The Creed

Preparing the Way for the Roman Missal 3rd Edition, Part 8: The Creed

Feb 12 11 • 0 comments

We discover right out of the gate in the new translation that the Creed is a personal statement, Credo / I believe. Yes, we profess the faith of the Church in one voice with all of her members, but the Creed must be our own personal acceptance of that faith. And so we say, I […]

But Is the Human Embryo a Person?

But Is the Human Embryo a Person?

Some commentators have argued that human embryos are individual human beings but they add that they are not human persons because they cannot sense or think or feel or desire.  Consequently, it is argued that human embryos do not have moral status and thus cannot claim any rights including the right to life.  Only human […]

Confession: A Roman Catholic App

Confession: A Roman Catholic App

Feb 10 11 • 1 comment

I’m so happy to share the good news about  ”Confession” a great Catholic app for your iPhone and iPad – and to share that this app is not only wonderfully helpful, but also 100% reliable, having earned the imprimatur from Bishop Kevin C. Rhodes of the Diocese of Fort Wayne – South Bend. You may […]

Soldiers are People, Too

Soldiers are People, Too

Feb 10 11 • 0 comments

I had a good dose of reality the other night. I went to a Family Readiness Briefing with our oldest son, Matt. His brigade is being deployed soon and so the National Guard arranged a meeting to inform and support the soldiers and families as they prepare. As I looked around the auditorium, I saw […]

Pres. Ronald Reagan

The Truth About Ronald Reagan’s Mind—and Memory

Feb 10 11 • 0 comments

Ron Reagan, son of the late president, continues to get attention because of speculation in his new book that his father may have begun experiencing Alzheimer’s Disease during his presidency. Ron cites two examples where his father seemed confused or forgetful, one as early as 1984 and another from 1986. Ron’s speculation ignited a very […]

<i>The Screwtape Letters</i> and the <i>Catechism of the Catholic Church</i>

The Screwtape Letters and the Catechism of the Catholic Church

Feb 10 11 • 3 comments

You have heard the phrase “The devil is in the details” used to describe a certain action or task in need of completion. Or, used in another context, how missed little details prevented a project from being completed. When involved in this type of situation, the human mind can conjure up so many thoughts and […]

Catholic “Fluff” – The Enemy Within

Catholic “Fluff” – The Enemy Within

Feb 10 11 • 1 comment

We don’t like to speak the truth about evil because we’re going to hurt somebody.  Let me tell you, you are going to hurt somebody, but that somebody is God.  If you would rather hurt God than your neighbor, there is something wrong with your spirituality.  It’s your obligation to speak the truth and everyone […]

Understanding Jesus’ Call to Deny Ourselves

Understanding Jesus’ Call to Deny Ourselves

Feb 10 11 • 0 comments

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world […]

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Natural Family Planning: A Gift from God

Feb 9 11 • 0 comments

One of the hidden gems promoted by the Catholic Church is Natural Family Planning (NFP).  NFP is a way of life and love that enables married couples to be aware of how their bodies and fertility work and to respond accordingly to their family planning needs.  Unfortunately, there are many misconceptions about this great gift […]

Pres. Ronald Reagan

What Would Ronald Reagan Do?

Feb 9 11 • 0 comments

The Gipper would call for the passage of the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act. The passage of time shrinks the reputation of some presidents (think here of Jimmy Carter, who just won’t go away) while it enlarges the reputation of others. No presidency in modern times now shines brighter than that of Ronald Reagan, […]

Is Your Email Address Helping You?

Is Your Email Address Helping You?

Feb 7 11 • 0 comments

At a college fair event some time ago, I collected students’ names and email addresses to notify them about an upcoming Notre Dame Information Night.  My mother, who wasvisiting me that week, kindly volunteered to input the names and email addresses into a database for me.  Not only was it  quite a challenge deciphering some of […]

Obama: Friend of Shariah

Obama: Friend of Shariah

Like ordinary folks, presidents of the United States are known by the company they keep.  It is a test of their character.  Often it shapes their policies.  And, in the case of Barack Obama, it may blight his legacy and our nation’s security interests. Until now, one of the most egregious examples of the problem […]

A Conversation with Fr. Gary Thomas, Exorcist

A Conversation with Fr. Gary Thomas, Exorcist

Feb 6 11 • 0 comments

The priest upon whose experience the book and movie The Rite are based, Father Gary Thomas  gives an extended interview to Leticia Velasquez, about the writing and purpose of the book, the realism of the movie, and his experiences with the Rite of Exorcism: Velasquez: I’d like to ask my first few questions about the […]

When My Baby Girl Left For College…

When My Baby Girl Left For College…

Feb 5 11 • 0 comments

I miss her so much. My youngest child. My only girl. My ally in the house of hormones. Oh, of course I raised her to leave— prepared her for college so she could fly away and pursue her own education, see the world, meet new friends, develop her own life. And I love her school. […]

Is Ordination a Right?

Is Ordination a Right?

There has been increasingly more and more debate concerning the new document from the Vatican on the ordination of homosexual men to the priesthood. Since I am writing this before the release of the Vatican’s document on the subject, it not proper to assume what the Vatican will or will not do. This has not […]

The Matriarchs of the Faith

The Matriarchs of the Faith

Feb 5 11 • 1 comment

Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, and Leah, matriarchs of the faith, provide a remarkable insight into God’s commitment to women and His interest in how women play an integral part in His plan for mankind. These women are often called the “women of the tent” and they embodied what we as Catholics might call “feminine genius.” These incredible […]

Faith, Doubt, and Demonic Possession in <i>The Rite</i>

Faith, Doubt, and Demonic Possession in The Rite

“I wonder you should ask me whether it is essential to keep the patient in ignorance of your own existence. That question, at least for the present phase of the struggle, has been answered for us by the High Command. Our policy, for the moment, is to conceal ourselves.” Screwtape, in The Screwtape Letters by […]

Review of the Children's Book <i>Joseph's Hands</i>

Review of the Children’s Book Joseph’s Hands

Feb 5 11 • 0 comments

God makes every one of us unique, giving us each special gifts and talents. In the newly released book Joseph’s Hands (Bezalel Books, April 2007, paperback, 36 pages), author Kety Sabatini shares a compelling tale which aptly illustrates God’s love and creativity. Beautifully illustrated by Marie Sabatini, Joseph’s Hands is the story of six year […]

Book Review: <i>The Rite</i>

Book Review: The Rite

Feb 4 11 • 0 comments

While exorcists admit that their ministry can sometimes be a heavy burden, it would be a mistake, they say to overstate the power of the Devil. As Father Amorth writes, “A priest who is afraid of the Devil is like a shepherd who is afraid of a wolf. It is a groundless fear.” The Devil,” […]

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“But, Why…?”

Feb 4 11 • 0 comments

I have been nibbling away at a book titled, The Difference God Makes, by Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I.  I say nibbling away because what Cardinal George has to say about the role of the Catholic faith in our modern word is so incredibly rich that to read it straight through would be like trying to […]

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La Mama

One of life’s curious ironies is that a person can “have it all” but in reality have nothing.  Likewise, a person can seem to have nothing and yet have everything–everything that matters that is. Mother Antonia or Madre Antonia as she is known in Mexico is just such a contradiction; filled to overflowing with love […]

Computer Posture

Computer Posture

Feb 3 11 • 0 comments

I’ve been sitting at my computer most of this morning, working away on a variety of things. When I stood up a few moments ago to go refresh my tea, I felt like an old lady! I sat back down to assess why I was feeling so much pain in my knees and noted that […]

Dressed in Matrimonial Grace

Dressed in Matrimonial Grace

Feb 3 11 • 0 comments

As our eldest daughter perched on the cliff of entry into adolescence, I found myself perched upon a dangerous cliff of my own — that of seeking modest dress for teenage girls. I slowly awakened to the truth (I was somewhat in denial) that taking a teenage girl shopping for modest clothing is nothing less […]

My View From Down Here, Part II

My View From Down Here, Part II

Feb 3 11 • 0 comments

I hope you’ve read Part I…if not please do before reading Part II. I mean, lest you think I start off all conversations telling you about my toned calves…. 😉 I don’t tire of hearing compliments on my toned legs. Maybe it’s karma or payback but without any deliberate effort on my behalf, I’ve got […]