Happy Vocation News
Posted by Rebecca Teti in Faith on Thursday, August 19, 2010
I’ve so come to look forward to The Anchoress’ periodic vocation round-ups.
There’s no better evidence that the Church is young and alive as the pope once exclaimed.
Here, have a look.
"Charity is Hard and Endures"
Posted by Arwen Mosher in Faith on Friday, August 06, 2010
In response to Anne Rice’s well-publicized resolve to “quit” Christianity, Rod Dreher quotes a letter by Flannery O’Connor.
Like all of O’Connor’s writing, it is well worth reading. And considering the current scandals going on the in the Church, I think it’s very applicable today.
Here’s my favorite thought from the letter:
“You don’t serve God by saying: the Church is ineffective, I’ll have none of it. Your pain at its lack of effectiveness is a sign of your nearness to God. We help overcome this lack of effectiveness simply by suffering on account of it.”
But you should read the whole article.
Moms Supporting One Another
Posted by Lisa Hendey in Just me on Tuesday, June 15, 2010
For the past two nights, I had the privilege of visiting two parishes in New Jersey to speak with families about faith, parenting and technology issues. Both evenings were full of grace, as I had the chance to meet online friends “in real life” and to make lots of new friends too. I love speaking in parishes, and especially enjoy reaching out to fellow Catholic moms.
Last night, one of our Faith... READ MORE
Broken Church, Broken Heart
Posted by Lisa Hendey in Faith on Friday, June 04, 2010
I received a very troubling email recently from a mom who is obviously experiencing great despair about her family’s faith life. I thought I would share a portion of her comments with you, as well as part of my reply in the hopes that you could perhaps chime in with some additional encouragement and recommendations of practical steps she might take. Here is part of her email:
I don’t know what to... READ MORE
O, For A Muse Of Fire!
Posted by Rebecca Teti in Faith on Sunday, May 23, 2010
Happy Pentecost!
“The gift of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost is the realization of the prayer and the promise of Jesus Christ: ‘I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!’ “
“The fire of the Holy Spirit is different from the fire of “war and bombs,” from the fires “lit by the dictators of every age.” It “brings out the best and most genuine in mankind ... our call to truth and love. ”
—from Benedict XVI’s homily for Pentecost
Pope In Portugal
Posted by Rebecca Teti in Faith on Wednesday, May 12, 2010
The Pope hadn’t even de-planed from his trip to Portugal before delivering on the promised “intense message” at Fatima.
Benedict’s remark that the deepest attacks on the Church today come not from without, but from sins within, made instant headlines.
When a reporter asked about the Third Secret of Fatima, the Pope in essence downplayed the specific meaning and focused on its general prophesy of suffering... READ MORE
How to Handle Lapsed Catholics at First Communion?
Posted by Fr. John Bartunek, LC in Family on Tuesday, May 04, 2010
Q: We have a large extended family, most of whom think we have jumped off a cliff for being so zealous for our beautiful faith,many of whom are no longer practicing Catholics, and some of whom were baptized Catholic but have chosen to practice another faith (Lutheran). How can we peacefully handle telling fallen away Catholic family members, that they should not receive the Eucharist while attending... READ MORE
Christ's Vicar & The Cross
Posted by Rebecca Teti in Faith on Monday, March 29, 2010
Archbishop Dolan of New York has good advice about the abuse crisis and attacks on the Pope.
He made these remarks after Palm Sunday Mass yesterday.
I found them helpful and hope you do, too.
You may also appreciate George Weigel’s analysis.
Let’s keep the Pope close in our hearts and prayers this Holy Week, and pray also for the whole Church: for sinners, for their victims, for those scandalized and tempted against their faith, for those bearing the shame of crimes they didn’t commit, and for those attacking the Church and the pope for any and all motives.
Christ bore the cross for all these things, and he alone can fully heal them.
Mass Distraction
Posted by Fr. John Bartunek, LC in Faith on Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Q: “I have four children ages four and under. I desire to attend daily mass, but my one year old is very noisy. Is it wrong for me to sit in the narthex for the entire Mass and then go forward to receive communion? I make a habit of participating even if I am in not in the actual sanctuary, ie…kneeling, sitting, standing, saying all of the responses. I just can’t seem to justify taking my noisy child... READ MORE
Is It Okay to "Parish Shop"?
Posted by Fr. John Bartunek, LC in Faith on Thursday, January 14, 2010
Q: Is it required that we attend our home parish (just a few blocks away) when possible, or is it acceptable to attend Mass in another town on a regular basis? Our reasons are many, and probably too personal to go into here.
A: This question has a short answer and a long answer. I will try to land in between the extremes.
The Bottom Line
Strictly speaking, the Church is quite reasonable in what she... READ MORE
