Monthly Archives: February 2011

Random Thoughts Looking Out the Window at the Bluff in the West

From my room here I look to the west and am able to see the sun set over a bluff that is about 500 feet high, with a peak of rock jutting out to the north. Pretty sight. I climbed … Continue reading

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Quote for the Day

“Let us exhort one another on every occasion to be grateful to God for the uncountable graces by which we are surrounded.” — Ven. Solanus Casey, OFM Cap.

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Of Serpents and Doves

Pope St. Gregory the Great, in today’s Office of Readings, gives us a reflection upon the simple yet upright person. He says in part (my English translation of the Italian): “There is a type of simplicity that would be better … Continue reading

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Check out this upcoming movie

Log on to: Of Gods and Men to get a heads up on a movie that will be coming to your theatre soon. May be worth the $9 to see. It is inspired by a true story of a community … Continue reading

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Abortion News from the State of Virginia

The Virginia legislature passed a law on February 24 that requires all abortion clinics to meet the same standards as hospitals. Opponents of the bill are saying this will lead to the closure of 17 of the state’s 21 abortions … Continue reading

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The president’s decision on DOMA may have impact on religious liberty

Catholic News Agency has an article today written by Kevin J. Jones on the potential impact of the Obama’s decision to no longer defend in court the Defense of Marriage of Act (DOMA) passed in 1996. U.S. Attorney General Eric … Continue reading

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The Defense of Marriage

I was asked to preach this morning at a parish other than the two to which I am assigned. As you may know, the Gospel from Mark was all about marriage. Since I hadn’t anticipated preaching, I spoke without more … Continue reading

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Congratulations, Diocese of Pittsburgh

The Holy Father announced this morning that Fr. William J. Watersheid, a priest of the diocese of Harrisburg is the new auxilary bishop for the Diocese of Pittsburgh. Bishop-elect Watersheid was born in 1956, went to nursing school in the … Continue reading

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Odometer Reading — Unknown Maintenance Feature

Well, the blog needed an oil change and with it, the odometer reading went back to zero. I did not know this blog had that feature, that every 300,000 visits it resets itself back to zero. Thank you again for … Continue reading

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St. Polycarp

Today is the memorial of St. Polycarp, a disciple of the Apostles and the bishop of Smyrne in Asia Minor. He was martyred in 155, being burned alive in the stadium of Rome. He had gone to that city to … Continue reading

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Quote for the Day

“Maybe the virtue we should pray for isn’t so much courage but integrity, so that we say what we mean and we mean what we say and we live what we say. I hope God gives me that grace, and … Continue reading

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Update on Blessed Luigi Guanella

I would like to thank Sr. Margaret Mary, a Daughter of St. Mary of Providence for her leaving a comment on my post this morning regarding the upcoming three canonizations, including Blessed Luigi Guanella. Sister directed me to the website … Continue reading

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Want a Daily Retreat? Online?

I have added a new feature to this weblog. On the lower right of this page you will see an icon for a 3 minute retreat, courtesy of Loyola Press, a Jesuit ministry. Make it a regular part of your … Continue reading

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Hey Deacons! We are Growing by Leaps and Bounds!

The new statistics for the Catholic Church came out recently and were presented to the Holy Father this past Saturday. Lots of statistics, but one stands out: the number of permanent deacons grew 2.5% from 2008-2009. The totals were 37,203 … Continue reading

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Three New Saints Coming Up

The Holy Father approved three new saints this morning during the celebration of Midday Prayer in the Sala del Concistoro del Palazzo Apostolico Vaticano. They are: Bl. Guido Maria Conforti (1865-1931) Archbishop of Parma and founder of the Pius Society … Continue reading

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