Recent Comments
Liam on Sacramentum Caritatis 57: Part… Liam on Las Vegas, Moving On Up Liam on Las Vegas, Moving On Up Liam on Readings for the Conferral of… Todd Flowerday on Readings for the Conferral of… Liam on Readings for the Conferral of… Teiborlang Malngiang on Paschale Solemnitatis Outline Todd Flowerday on Sacramentum Caritatis 47:… Liam on Sacramentum Caritatis 47:… Liam on Sacramentum Caritatis 46: The…
Monthly Archives: December 2020
On My Bookshelf: The Last Stargazers
It’s one of the best science non-fiction books I’ve read this year. Astronomer Emily Levesque accomplishes something informative and accessible in her book. It’s been well-regarded by reviewers and readers alike. When I started reading, I thought it was going … Continue reading
Posted in Astronomy, On My Bookshelf
Leave a comment
Fratelli Tutti 66: The Example
Did you know Pope Francis did a TED Talk? Neither did I. He suggests that being a “Samaritan” is not a loss of identity, but an affirmation of where we came from as well as a thumbs-up for the whole … Continue reading
Posted in Fratelli Tutti
Leave a comment
Naming Persons
The USCCB doctrine committee is rightfully concerned with how the Trinity and the Persons of the Trinity are named in texts of liturgical music. On one hand, there is a very serious matter of theology. Who is God? How does … Continue reading
Posted in bishops, Liturgical Music
Leave a comment
Getting Sloppy
A British football manager is quoted after more than half of his league’s matches were called off yesterday: Oxford United manager Karl Robinson told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme some clubs were getting “sloppy”. “I can’t come on 100%, but … Continue reading
Posted in Commentary, Sports
Leave a comment
Fratelli Tutti 65: The Modern Shunning
65. Someone is assaulted on our streets, and many hurry off as if they did not notice. People hit someone with their car and then flee the scene. Their only desire is to avoid problems; it does not matter that, … Continue reading
Posted in Fratelli Tutti
Leave a comment
Proclamation, 850th
I found the federal proclamation to be a most interesting piece of theatre. Not that I find the honoring of a Catholic and Anglican saint to be objectionable. Far from it. Eight-point-five centuries ago a not particularly religious ruler was … Continue reading
Posted in Politics, Saints
Leave a comment
Fratelli Tutti 64: Unlearned In Compassion
Today we continue the discussion on Pope Francis’ theme, Abandoned on the wayside, looking at that question in our imagination: 64. Which of these persons do you identify with? This question, blunt as it is, is direct and incisive. Which … Continue reading
Posted in Fratelli Tutti
Leave a comment
Help, Helpful And Not
A day off for the first time in a few weeks. The frenetic pace of Advent/Christmas in a new parish, trying to get up to speed on all sorts of things, has slackened somewhat. My wife had an agenda list … Continue reading
Posted in Commentary, My Family
1 Comment
Fratelli Tutti 63: Abandoned On The Wayside
One Ignatian approach to examining the parable of the Injured Traveler and the Good Samaritan would be to ponder the story and see which character we see as most closely aligned with our self. Abandoned on the wayside 63. Jesus … Continue reading
Posted in Fratelli Tutti
Leave a comment
Thomas Merton on Christmas
My pastor quoted one of my favorite monastics in his Christmas homily: The mystery of Christmas therefore lays upon us all a debt and an obligation to the rest of the human race and to the whole created universe. We … Continue reading
Posted in Christmas, spirituality
Leave a comment
Christ Is Here
Now God says to us What He has already said to the earth as a whole Through His grace-filled birth: I am there. I am with you. I am your life. I am your time. I am the gloom of … Continue reading
Posted in Christmas, spirituality
Leave a comment
Scripture for the Sick or Dying: Psalm 25
For being an acrostic psalm (each line begins with the letters of the Hebrew alphabet, in order), the 25th holds up very well compared to the occasional disjointedness in other compositions. In the Lectionary for the care of people who … Continue reading
Posted in Pastoral Care of the Sick, Scripture
Leave a comment
Conjunction Malfunction
The Conjunction of 2020 has been on my calendar for years. When I moved to Minnesota, I thought I’d have a better chance of clear skies. As I mentioned on social media, alas, it’s cloudy where I am, where I … Continue reading
Posted in Astronomy
Leave a comment
Candle Names
It was a few years ago that the phenomenon of naming the Advent candles came to my awareness. I used to think it was simple: first Sunday, second Sunday, etc.. Apparently, peace, joy, hope, and love are a thing. I … Continue reading
Posted in Advent
Leave a comment
Catholic Sensibility 
Not Covered In Glory
News making the rounds in social media: Gloria Purvis’ radio show ‘Morning Glory’ pulled from EWTN’s airwaves | National Catholic Reporter (ncronline.org). Image credit: EWTN Just in case you didn’t think white fragility or Catholic fragility was a thing. I … Continue reading →