There Is No Pope in Islam
Some time ago I posted on Facebook this criticism of that ubiquitous “Coexist” bumper sticker with the comment, “I need this in magnet form for my car.” A friend (who, I believe, identifies as atheist/agnostic) replied, “I don’t agree that Muslims are out to get everyone else. I find that suggestion pretty offensive actually.” Upon […]
Pope Francis and Gender Theory
Last month The Daily Beast published an essay that, among other things, accused Pope Francis of “dissing women”. The piece was written by university professors Candida Moss and Joel Baden, who quote an interview where the pope discusses the issue of “gender theory, that does not recognize the order of creation”. By gender theory he simply means the modern notion that sexual identity is on […]
Because Homeschooling Works: So Says A Student
Homeschooling moms often write blogs, stories, and articles about what they do, and I love reading those articles. However, I have a unique perspective on homeschooling. You see, I’m a practical outcome of all the tips and strategies and pieces of advice that are floating about online. I want to testify to the Catholic world […]
To Complete the Suffering of Christ
“Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, of which I became a minister according to the divine office which was given to me for you, to make the word of God […]
Divorce: The Child Never Forgets
All of us experience suffering and pain in our lives. Life is full of those unexpected curveballs for which we are completely unprepared. Death and divorce are examples. Although not the same, they are both life-altering and (for a child) equally painful. There have been a multitude of studies on divorce. Most of them focus […]
One Marriage, the State and God
There have been perhaps a gazillion or two marriages since God ordained the Sacrament, as well as time and space and everything else He created. However, I could be wrong about the time aspect. According to Penny of The Big Bang Theory when asked if she knew who Stephen Hawking was she responded, “The wheelchair dude who invented time”. But, this […]
The Treasure of Silence
One perfect Word, and a world full of noise; one perfect proof of love, yet millions of lonely-hearted souls; one perfect God, and a bewildering number of imposters adored —this is the world in which we live, sorely in need of silence, love, and truth. The chatter never ceases, in spite of the eternally perfect […]
The Fifth Commandment: Standing Firm on Capital Punishment
From “Zola Levitt Ministries” “A sign of hope is the increasing recognition that the dignity of human life must never be taken away, even in the case of someone who has done great evil. Modern society has the means of protecting itself, without definitively denying criminals the chance to reform. I renew the appeal I […]
Facing Lent While Recovering From Anorexia
The fact that National Eating Disorders Awareness Week landed on the first week of Lent is rather ironic. During a Church season when people are giving up sweets or even meals, millions of people around the world are struggling with either overeating or restricting food. This time of the year, although a wonderful spiritual experience, […]
Hard Sayings: God’s Word Never Changes
This article’s title comes to us from John 6:60, and is in regards to Jesus telling his disciples that they must eat His flesh and drink His blood to have eternal life. Many followers left him over the doctrine of the Eucharist, apparently not understanding His words of spirit and life in John 6:63 (spirit […]
Lent: Experiencing the Reality of Purgatory
The Eastern Orthodox Church designates Lent as a time of prayer for those who have gone before us. I think this observance is an appropriate gesture, especially since I am still dealing with the repercussions of my Ukrainian Orthodox grandmother’s plea for prayer. My paternal, Ukrainian grandmother, who had been in Canada for barely 15 years, […]
7 Things Not to Do For Lent
Lent is a time of spiritual self-discovery, renewal, and an invitation to find God’s will for us. Through sacrifice, prayer, and alms-giving we are looking to join Jesus in the desert – finding a purer form of ourselves. There are as many opportunities for Lenten self-improvement as there are individual souls. As we enter the […]
Rape The Fifty Shades Way
No one wanted to say: I told you so, but Christian leaders and abuse victims’ groups warned that glorifying sexual violence against a woman as entertainment would have ill effects. And so, here we go. A 19-year-old engineering student from the University of Illinois at Chicago was charged on Monday with aggravated criminal sexual assault […]
Clean Slate
My bride and I went to Confession last week on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, and once again I pitied the poor priest who had to hear my lawyer’s confession! I have never been to Confession without feeling a great sense of relief. Here is the formula that I have followed for Confessions since childhood: Bless me […]
Fifty Shades of Catholicism…Yes and No
I hope that you will be relieved, not dismayed, that this piece has nothing to do with Fifty Shades of Grey since, if we are completely honest and accurate, that book and movie have nothing to do with God, God’s love, or what God wants for us. The paradise peddled by Fifty is not unlike […]
Four Signs Your Business Has Become Your Idol
For the last 11 years I have grown to cherish my commitment to an annual silent weekend retreat. But, I wasn’t always crazy about going. My first exposure to the silence made my skin crawl. My first conference had a three-hour Friday night mini silent retreat component. But now I believe the retreats are saving […]
My Lenten Pilgrimage
Every year I make plans for my Lenten practices and spiritual reading, but I know to be flexible because every year an unanticipated thrust emerges and shapes the contours of my Lent. One year it was forgiveness and reconciliation. Another year I found myself called to simplify and detach from the material world. I don’t plan […]
