Category Archives: Marriage and Family

The Need for Laughter in Grieving the Loss of a Family Member

Posted on December 4, 2011 by Deacon Bob

I attended the funeral of a close family member this weekend. The funeral service was appropriately somber and sincere, as they typically are in the Midwest. The committal at the cemetery was during our first real winter storm. Those of … Continue reading →

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Sexual Difference: Dual Unity

Posted on December 4, 2011 by Deacon Bob

Blessed Pope John Paul II, in his The Theology of the Body, talks about “dual unity” or the “double unity.” He said that in creation, God created the unity of two beings, male and female, and this unity lay in … Continue reading →

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More on Sexual Difference

Posted on November 24, 2011 by Deacon Bob

Even though sexual and gender differences between men and women are not the simple construct of social mores or personal development, men and women are not polar opposites. Sexual differences do not result in two separate, parallel worlds. Sexual difference … Continue reading →

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Is Sexual Difference a Construct of Society?

Posted on November 22, 2011 by Deacon Bob

A common idea floating around our culture today is that sexual differences between men and women are a construct of society, i.e., determined by social norms, expectations and experiences. The idea purports that sexual and gender traits are what society … Continue reading →

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Married Saint for the Day: St. Elizabeth of Hungary

Posted on November 20, 2011 by Deacon Bob

I’d like to highlight occasionally married saints who exemplify so well the dignity and nature of marriage. Today it will be St. Elizabeth of Hungary. St. Elizabeth was born in 1207 in a castle in northern Hungary. At a very … Continue reading →

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The Normalcy of War In Our Times

Posted on October 10, 2011 by Deacon Bob

I was thinking about how when I was growing up, at least from the time I became conscious of world events, my country has been at war more often than it has not. My socio-political views were shaped by the … Continue reading →

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33 Years Ago – Papa Luciani to the American Bishops

Posted on September 22, 2011 by Deacon Bob

Thirty-three years ago, on September 21, 1978, Pope John Paul I spoke to a group of American bishops from Region XII (Northwestern United States) during their ad limina visit to Rome. The bishops were also at the North American College … Continue reading →

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Another Wedding Story (Mis-story)

Posted on August 21, 2011 by Deacon Bob

Deacon Greg over at Deacon’s Bench (see link Deacon Greg Kandra at lower right) posted yesterday a story of a wedding that occurred in his parish. A great story, perhaps familiar to a lot of deacons… perhaps a “mis-story” of what … Continue reading →

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If You Want to Fix the Economy, Support the Family

Posted on July 24, 2011 by Deacon Bob

I read a delightful post over at The Crescat entitled “comparing the costs of families….” which she wrote last Friday. She argues that we need to recognize our mutual responsibilities within our families, especially our aging members, and as family … Continue reading →

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Quote for the Day

Posted on July 20, 2011 by Deacon Bob

“An intoxicated and undisciplined eros is not an ascent in ecstasy…. but a fall, a degradation of man.” — Anonymous, pseudonym: Marie

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Papa Luciani on Marriage and the Family

Posted on July 1, 2011 by Deacon Bob

I thought it would be worthwhile to take a look at what Pope John Paul I (Papa Luciani) had to say during his pontificate about marriage and the family. The following is an excerpt from his address to the American … Continue reading →

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Fighting for Marriage: Update

Posted on July 1, 2011 by Deacon Bob

After I wrote my last post earlier today, I ran across this article written in my local newspaper, the The Winona Daily News. It is written by Dick Houck, president of the Catholic Defense League. His article is entitled, Marriage … Continue reading →

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Fighting for Marriage

Posted on July 1, 2011 by Deacon Bob

I am confused. Why are we not more energized and vocal about the assault on marriage that is occurring throughout our country at this time? Yes, the bishops are speaking out eloquently. Here in Minnesota, Archbishop Nienstedt of St. Paul/Minneapolis, … Continue reading →

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Marriage: We Have to be Involved

Posted on June 30, 2011 by Deacon Bob

I have been writing a lot of “take a look at this” type posting lately. I have been too busy to do much original writing. I want once again to alert you to a well-written post by Susan Kehoe down … Continue reading →

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New York’s Deconstruction of Marriage

Posted on June 25, 2011 by Deacon Bob

As you have probably read by now, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed into law a bill handed to him by the New York legislature yesterday that legalizes same-sex marriage. I was interested in seeing how the New York bishops would respond. … Continue reading →

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