A friend – whom I like personally, but disagree with politically – recently posted a meme with remarkable inaccuracies. Let’s break the claims down one-by-one. The meme includes a picture of Osama bin Laden, with 11 distinct claims of victory “18 years after 9/11”. 1. You teach Islam in your public schoolsResponse: No more than we …
Another Father’s Day rolls around, another tug at my heart. Every year I’m reminded I don’t have a father to call. But along with the heart-tugs that the too-commercialized day brings, it also encourages me to reflect on fatherhood in general, and what my own father meant to me.Dad’s been gone now 31 years – …
This afternoon, Don & I went to a talk by Karen Armstrong. She spoke about her new book, Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life, and introduced us to the Charter for Compassion. I’ve reprinted the Charter below. Please read it carefully, and if you’re interested in learning more (and I hope you are), check out charterforcompassion.org.The principle of …
From today’s New York Times (I’m reprinting it in its entirety because of its importance, and for those who may not be registered at the Times):Vatican Backs Excommunications Stemming From an AbortionBy AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE; Published: March 7, 2009ROME (Agence France-Presse) – A senior Vatican cleric on Saturday defended the excommunication of the mother and doctors of a …
In a hymn we sing at church at this time of year, “I am the light of the world,” the first stanza says:When the song of the angels is stilled,when the star in the sky is gone,when the kings and the shepherds have found their way home,the work of Christmas is begun.I thought of this …
My heart went out to Obama this week, on his short visit with his grandmother in Hawaii. While I respect the privacy that the press seems to be giving him and his grandmother during the visit, it doesn’t sound promising for her longevity. I only pray that she will see November 4 – imagine the …
I used to be a Roman Catholic. 17 years of Catholic education, from kindergarten through university. Degree in theology from a Jesuit institution. Religious ed teacher, lector, eucharistic minister at various times. I thought I could change the Catholic Church from within, by being a voice of reason.I’m now a proud, active member of the United …
Mom’s memorial service was today. It was a wonderful event all around, joining family, old friends, new friends, all with a common thread of knowing and loving my Mom. At the service, my cousin read the following letter that was sent to his mother- and father-in-law, a letter in which Dad introduced his new wife …