Monthly Archives: July 2009

More Prayers than Battles

Posted on July 18, 2009 by Deacon Bob

Here are some words from Pope John Paul I, taken from his Angelus address on September 3, 1978.  “Up there in Veneto I heard it said: every good thief has his devotion. The Pope has a number of devotions; among … Continue reading →

Posted in Papa Luciani (Pope John Paul I) | 1 Comment

Quote for the Day

Posted on July 17, 2009 by Deacon Bob

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

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To Possess God

Posted on July 16, 2009 by Deacon Bob

“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 →

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Dying — Seeing God

Posted on July 15, 2009 by Deacon Bob

In the Old Testament we read, “No one can see God and live.’ (Exodus 33, 20)  It has always made me a little frightened to think about that.  God would kill me if I saw him.  That is how I … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Pro-Life and Pro-Environment – Intertwined

Posted on July 14, 2009 by Deacon Bob

One cannot be a true environmentalist and at the same time be pro-abortion, pro-euthanasia or  pro-death.  Said positively, real environmentalists are ardently pro-life, and vehemently anti-abortion, anti-death. This makes intuitive sense to me and helps me understand myself.  I have … Continue reading →

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Caritas in Veritate

Posted on July 14, 2009 by Deacon Bob

I am trying to grasp some of Benedict’s ideas in Caritas in Veritate. I am referring to paragraph 38 of the encyclical where he talks about the “fraternity of reciprocity” leading to “economic democracy.”  He identifies three logics: economic (contractual) logic, … Continue reading →

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Quote for the Day

Posted on July 14, 2009 by Deacon Bob

“While you are proclaiming peace with your lips, be careful to have it even more fully in your heart.” — St. Francis of Assissi

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Encore on Church Unity

Posted on July 12, 2009 by Deacon Bob

I attended a piano concert last night conducted by Ian Shapinsky. He gave three encores. I thought it was a bit much, but then I don’t frequent piano concerts often, so maybe that is the standard for world class pianists. … Continue reading →

Posted in Ecclesiology, Saints and Prophets | 1 Comment

Laudable Quotes from Caritas in Veritate

Posted on July 10, 2009 by Deacon Bob

Some more wonderful quotes from the Pope’s Encyclical: “Man is not a lost atom in a random universe: he is God’s creature, whom God chose to endow with an immortal soul and whom he has always loved.” (29) “Knowledge is … Continue reading →

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A Deacon’s Story

Posted on July 10, 2009 by Deacon Bob

Thanks to Deacon Greg Kandra, (see my link to his blog below) I ran across this great article about a New York deacon and his work as a chaplain in a state prison.  www.pressrepublican.com/0100_news/local_story_190232750.html I am aware of this prison, … Continue reading →

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Quote from Caritas in Veritate

Posted on July 10, 2009 by Deacon Bob

“Openness to life is at the center of true development. When a society moves towards the denial or suppression of life, it ends up no longer finding the necessary motivation and energy to strive for man’s true good. If personal … Continue reading →

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Quote for the Day

Posted on July 9, 2009 by Deacon Bob

“Without truth, charity degenerates into sentimentality. Love becomes an empty shell, to be filled in an arbitrary way. In a culture without truth, this is the fatal risk facing love. It falls prey to contingent subjective emotions and opinions, the … Continue reading →

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Church Unity

Posted on July 6, 2009 by Deacon Bob

I was googling available Catholic parishes in the Chicago area this past weekend to find one close to where I was staying and to determine Mass times.  I found that the parishes in the town where I was located had … Continue reading →

Posted in Church News, Ecclesiology, Popes | 3 Comments

David’s Sin and Ours

Posted on July 5, 2009 by Deacon Bob

The Old Testament reading from Samuel this morning in the Office of Readings is a continuation of the story of David’s sin — his arrangement for the murder of Urriah the Hittite so he could cover his sin of adultery … Continue reading →

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Chicago Land and Michael Jackson

Posted on July 4, 2009 by Deacon Bob

The past couple of days I have been in Chicago, so I haven’t had time to post.  Just saw a great fireworks display. Must have walked seven miles total today, so I am tired.  I am always amazed at the … Continue reading →

Posted in General Interest | 3 Comments