Monthly Archives: July 2009

The Osservatore Romano today, July 31, printed an interview with the rector of the College of Vatican Confessors, who happen to be Franciscan priests. In it, the history of the Franciscan ministry of administering the sacrament of Penance in St. … Continue reading →

“God’s love does not differentiate between the newly conceived infant still in his or her mother’s womb and the child or young person, or the adult and the elderly person. God does not distinguish between them because he sees an … Continue reading →

I am afraid I was a tad bit distracted at 6:30 Mass this morning.  In the pews were three religious sisters, two from one order and one from another.  The two had traditional habits with the veil, black shoes and … Continue reading →

“I have been privileged to give great gifts from my empty hands.” — St. John Vianney

Today’s Office of Readings includes a homily from St. Basil the Great.  He talks of being generous to the poor. My translation of the Italian: “Actively do the good.  God will approve of you, the angels will praise you, and … Continue reading →

A disturbing piece of news that I fear may be indicative of things in the future for health care workers nationwide. A nurse, Catherina Cenzon-DeCarlo, was reportedly forced to participate in a late-term abortion. Her supervisors threatened her job status … Continue reading →

I’d like to draw your attention to the latest edition (August 2009) of Ethics and Medics, the publication of The National Catholic Bioethics Center on Health Care and the Life Sciences.  Working in a medical center for over 23 years, … Continue reading →

“”Behold, Lord, I throw all of my cares onto you, so I may live, ‘so I may see the wonders of your law’ (Ps. 118, 18). You know my ignorance and all of my ills.  Teach me to do your will … Continue reading →

I would suggest you click on the blogroll link for “The Anchoress” (Elizabeth Scalia) and read her post for today, Wednesday July 22. Or click here: www.firstthings.com/blogs/theanchoress A wonderful piece on faith and reason!

“… reason and faith can come to each other’s assistance. Only together will they save man…. reason without faith is doomed to flounder in an illusion of its own omnipotence. Faith without reason risks being cut off from everyday life.” … Continue reading →

I was listening to talk radio a couple of days ago, and one of the speakers made the comment that there are many who “are educated into imbecility.”  I laughed at the time, knowing in the midst of the laughter that … Continue reading →

“May we never be callous to the goodness of Christ.  If he were to treat us according to our actions, we would be lost.” — St. Ignatius of Antioch, Letter to the Magnesians

I am stilll pouring over the Pope’s encyclical.  In sections 53 and 54, he talks about humanity being defined through relationships.  He makes the comment, “… the relation between individual and community is a relation between one totality and another”, … Continue reading →

Our director of the diaconate sent this around to all of us today.  Written by our former bishop, now Archbishop of Portland in Oregon, John Vlazny. It is worth the read. http://sentinel.org/node/10179 Thanks, Archbishop Vlazny!

Diakonia, was described as the normal manner of loving by Pope Paul VI (then Archbishop Montini) at an ordination in Milan on June 26, 1955. Diaconal service is the norm for all loving in the Church. That statement is pregnant … Continue reading →

“You are my God, teach me to do your will!”  — St. Francis of Assissi

“Jesus is present and Jesus is hidden, because he wishes to bring forth in us those actions and virtues, those merits that will render us one day capable of seeing him, worthy to rejoice in him in the fullness of … Continue reading →