Does Original Sin Still Exist?
Faith and Family Live! | Posted by Rebecca Teti in Family on Thursday, December 04, 2008
As you can see from the photo, the weather in Rome turned during our Thanksgiving week, and the most recent papal audiences have been held indoors.
The day before Thanksgiving, the Pope welcomed as his guest Aram I, the head of the Armenian Church.
Returning to the topic of Paul’s catechesis on justification, Benedict XVI shows us that faith and charity are so intimately connected as to be in... READ MORE
Don’t Protect Christmas, Share It
Faith and Family Live! | Posted by Rebecca Teti in Faith on Wednesday, December 03, 2008
I noted yesterday that there must be a good buried somewhere in the fact that merchants more or less must observe Christmas—even if their celebrations are out of tune.
I also noted that even Christians don’t say anything good about Christmas anymore—all we do is denounce commercialism.
No less an eminence than Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger made the same point in an essay back in 1977. While we’re... READ MORE
Let’s Not Fall For It
Faith and Family Live! | Posted by Rebecca Teti in Faith on Tuesday, December 02, 2008
The “War on Christmas” is no such thing, as the spate of stories about Thanksgiving pageants being canceled in our nations schools shows. What’s really under attack is festivity—the notion that there is anything worth celebrating. (Ultimately this attack on goodness is an attack on God, but he can handle himself!)
Here’s a column I wrote about three years ago and offer again not because I like to... READ MORE
For Goodness’ Sake
Faith and Family Live! | Posted by Rebecca Teti in News on Monday, December 01, 2008
The ad at left is running in and on the buses of my hometown, Washington, D.C.
The American Humanist Association is spending $40,000 on a “good, not god” campaign for Christmas.
JoEllen Murphy, however, is not one to read such stories and tsk-tsk the state of things. Instead, she called the local transit authority and found out what it would cost to run a counter ad campaign. She found that with... READ MORE
Feast of St. Andrew
Faith and Family Live! | Posted by Rebecca Teti in Just me on Saturday, November 29, 2008
Do you pray the St. Andrew novena for Advent?
So-called because it starts on the feast of St. Andrew, which --sometimes, as is the case this year--coincides with the First Sunday of Advent?
The pious practice is to say it 15 times a day to receive a special grace, but I confess we don’t do that. We just say it together once as part of our family prayer during Advent.
I do think of it often during Advent and at other times during the year when I want to meditate on the mystery of the Incarnation. There’s something about the wording that helps me “enter in” to that mystery right away.
The version I have committed to memory runs: “Hail and Blessed be the hour and moment when the Son of God was born of the Most Pure Virgin Mary at midnight in Bethlehem in piercing cold. By that hour vouchsafe, O Lord, to hear my prayers, and grant my request through the merits of Our Savior Jesus Christ and of his Most Holy Mother, Amen.”
Image: Two Hearts Design.
Still Grateful
Faith and Family Live! | Posted by Rebecca Teti in Just me on Friday, November 28, 2008
My brother was here for a nice long visit.
Even though he lives close by, I don’t get that enough.
We laughed a lot: he is the funniest person I know.
I like leftover turkey sandwiches more than turkey itself.
I love having the kids home from school and hubby home from work for a long weekend and no obligations. There will be ice-skating. And reading under snuggly warm covers. And hot chocolate.
And you?
What was the best part of your Thanksgiving celebration? What’s your favorite leftover? What are your fun weekend plans?
Count your post-Thanksgiving blessings for us!
A Thanksgiving Proclamation
Faith and Family Live! | Posted by Rebecca Teti in News on Thursday, November 27, 2008
At left is the very first Thanksgiving Proclamation from President Washington.
Here are some excerpts from this year’s version.
“Thanksgiving is a time for families and friends to gather together and express gratitude for all that we have been given, the freedoms we enjoy, and the loved ones who enrich our lives. We recognize that all of these blessings, and life itself, come not from the hand of man but from Almighty God.”
“Every Thanksgiving, we remember the story of the Pilgrims who came to America in search of religious freedom and a better life. Having arrived in the New World, these early settlers gave thanks to the Author of Life for granting them safe passage to this abundant land and protecting them through a bitter winter. Our Nation’s first President, George Washington, stated in the first Thanksgiving proclamation that “It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor.” While in the midst of the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln revived the tradition of proclaiming a day of thanksgiving, asking God to heal our wounds and restore our country.”
“On this day, let us all give thanks to God who blessed our Nation’s first days and who blesses us today. May He continue to guide and watch over our families and our country always.”
To that I think we can all respond, “Amen!”
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
Almost Thanksgiving
Faith and Family Live! | Posted by Rebecca Teti in Just me on Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Danielle’s delectable post about what everyone’s cooking makes me have to share my brother’s poem and illustration for the occasion.
He’s a political cartoonist and ordinarily his product wouldn’t be fare for this audience, but today’s an exception. Enjoy! And Happy Thanksgiving!
I Am A Sweet Potato Heretic
Faith and Family Live! | Posted by Rebecca Teti in Food on Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Do you do this to your sweet potatoes? Tell me you don’t do this to your sweet potatoes.
As a veteran of many Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners, I know I’m in a tiny and marginalized minority. I have tried to approach this traditional dish when served it with an open mind and a determination to like it this time...but it’s always the same revolting jolt of too much sweet. (Shudders.)
Sweet potatoes... READ MORE
Do You Know America?
Faith and Family Live! | Posted by Rebecca Teti in News on Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Here’s a fun little exercise as we approach our national civic holiday, Thanksgiving.
As we thank Our Lord for the blessings of liberty among so many others, do we know how our civic liberty is maintained?
Try your hand at this 33-question civic literacy quiz.
71% of Americans can’t pass it --and don’t snicker, but elected officials actually do worse than the general public.
Guess what else... READ MORE
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