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Monthly Archives: October 2020
Fratelli Tutti 26: Disunity
That notion of a world war already with us gets explored further. 26. This should not be surprising, if we realize that we no longer have common horizons that unite us; indeed, the first victim of every war is “the … Continue reading
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Heading To More Stay-At-Home
Been busy with church and elections work, so I haven’t been watching much news lately. Even church news. From Ireland, Fr Neil Xavier O’Donoghue discusses “Lockdown 2.0” at PrayTell. Last March all public activities, including churches, closed down overnight and … Continue reading
Posted in Liturgy, Parish Life, spirituality
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Fratelli Tutti 25: On Conflict And Fear
Today’s paragraph and the three that follow fall under the heading of “Conflict and fear.” 25. War, terrorist attacks, racial or religious persecution, and many other affronts to human dignity are judged differently, depending on how convenient it proves for … Continue reading
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Fratelli Tutti 24: Slavery
I don’t know if anyone has done a study on this, but I wonder: Have there never been more living slaves in history as there are now? Excerpts from Pope Francis’ message from six years ago: 24. We should also … Continue reading
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Fratelli Tutti 23: Dignity and Rights For Women
Some will dismiss any word from Rome on women. While there are traditional and theologically-framed reasons for excluding women, the perception of mistreatment may make the words of Fratelli Tutti 23 ring empty. Nonetheless, they are here, partly quoted from … Continue reading
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The Armchair Liturgist: Reformation Sunday
As I understand it, Lutherans and Calvinists are the chief observers of Reformation Day, October 31st. Many churches in the US opt for a weekend celebration, and move the feast to the last Sunday of October. Today is the earliest … Continue reading
Posted in ecumenism, The Armchair Liturgist
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Fratelli Tutti 22: On Human Rights
The confluence of human rights and Pope Francis have been somewhat in the news this past week. I’d rather focus on his official word on what he has termed, “Insufficiently universal human rights.” This is covered in today’s paragraphs and … Continue reading
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On My Bookshelf: The Copernicus Complex
Some people like their science focused and tight. I prefer something more far-reaching. These days, with science and so many other disciplines well-honed and specialized, it is rare for an author to pull off a feat of delving into multiple … Continue reading
Posted in On My Bookshelf, Science
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Scripture for the Sick or Dying: Matthew 5:1-12
Name a Bible passage recommended for Catholic weddings, funerals, and penance/confession. Stumped? Likely not, my friend, if you are following this post and have read the title. You now know it’s also recommended for people who are sick or dying. … Continue reading
Posted in Pastoral Care of the Sick, Scripture
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Fratelli Tutti 21: Progress For All
Pope Paul VI penned Populorum Progressio in 1967. In it he suggested that human economic institutions needed to attend to the development of all people of the world, not just the wealthy few. We know that advancing technology has provided … Continue reading
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Elmer Fudd For President
Election officials frequently see candidates written in for public office. In my state, the November slate for lieutenant governor features the top two vote-getters from August’s primary. Since they are both Democrats, a Republican is mounting a serious write-in campaign. … Continue reading
Fratelli Tutti 20: More On Discarding People
One might think that skill in selling to the people would be a prime business value, be it for a product or a political candidate, or a point of view. The reality is that many self-proclaimed experts in politics, business, … Continue reading
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Suffrage Centenary Coin
Did you know the US Mint continues to produce silver dollars? You’ll never see them in picket change though. For something north of a 6000 percent mark-up, a collector can own a silver dollar honoring the American women who scored … Continue reading
Posted in coins, Commentary
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Fratelli Tutti 19: Concerns For The Elderly
19. A decline in the birthrate, which leads to the aging of the population, together with the relegation of the elderly to a sad and lonely existence, is a subtle way of stating that it is all about us, that … Continue reading
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Catholic Sensibility 
Of Dodgers, And Not Dodging The Virus
I notice that Los Angeles has collected the second championship of the pandemic era. I had a good friend in ministry years ago in Virginia who was all things Dodgers. I imagine he is thrilled his favorite baseball team has … Continue reading →