Daily Archives: 19 September 2013

Online Retreat, Day 5, These Gifts

The plan for the first week of the Ignatian online retreat is to page through my life as if it were a photo album. Sometimes it has been more like a soundtrack. Yesterday, an unpublished song by my friend Mike … Continue reading

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The Pope’s Interview

I will tell you that reading these brief excerpts, I feel as if I’m on another planet. I can only imagine what my conservative sisters and brothers must be going through. As a parent and a pastoral minister, I can … Continue reading

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Reconciliation Lectionary: Romans 6:12-23

Slavery is a difficult topic these days, as well it should be. Women and children are enslaved. Men, too, but one hears less of that. Addicts know well the sense of enslavement to drink, drugs, sexual stimulation, food, and other … Continue reading

Posted in Rite of Penance, Scripture | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Praying With Mantises

The young miss reported her high school in lockdown around lunch time today. Fortunately, this was a precaution as no intruder made it into the school, and people were all safe inside. The bad thing, of course, is that weapons-bearing … Continue reading

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Redemptionis Sacramentum 87

Canon law is cited for the celebration of First Eucharist. But this section is not without problems. [87.] The First Communion of children must always be preceded by sacramental confession and absolution.[Cf. Code of Canon Law 914; S. Congregation for the … Continue reading

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GMD 38-40: Inactive Brothers and Sisters

These three sections of Go and Make Disciples acknowledge the situation of Catholics who were once with us but no longer express an active faith life. The bishops concede some of the many reasons: poor formation, alienation from Church teaching or … Continue reading

Posted in evangelization, Go and Make Disciples | 1 Comment

Remember the Date?

I had missed Pope Francis’s question in his narrative of Mother church last week. This quick news bit drew it out: I would like to ask each of you here, and you can respond in your heart: how many of … Continue reading

Posted in Liturgy | Tagged , | 1 Comment