Author Archives: Deacon Bob

The Office of Readings for today continues our reading from the Letter of Barnabas.  It is a passage in which he describes “The Way of Light.” There is a pro-life message contained within it. “You will love your neighbor more … Continue reading →

Priests never stop being deacons just because they are ordained to the priesthood. Here is a story of Fr. Tom Lewandowski living out his diaconal call.  Log on to: www.pittsburghcatholic.org/newsarticles_more.phtml?id=2529 By the way, my sister in the early 80s volunteered … Continue reading →

Bishop Blase Cupich of the diocese of Rapid City wrote the following on January 31, 2007 which was subsequently printed on February 3, 2007 in the Rapid City Journal. “… our elected representatives are debating the issues of abortion and the … Continue reading →

In a world that seems at times hell bent on revenge and punishment, there is a real life story of forgiveness when faced with tragedy.  I am talking about Sally Lancaster in California.  To read her account log on to: … Continue reading →

“Pray as you can, not as you can’t!” — Fr. Mark Pierce “Stop working for things that perish…” — Jesus

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 →