Confessions: I am a Topekan. It’s a pretty good city, all things considered. Not the best, by far, but good. I’ve grown up “in the shadow” of the Westboro Baptist Church (WBC) all of my life. -They’ve picketed my Church (“Sodomite Fag Priests Burn In Hell,” apparently) -They’ve picketed my High School (“Sodomite School News […]
Archives for 2013
The Faces of Hope: Patrick’s Favorite Images of the Popes
March 22, 2013 by
Since the election of Pope Francis, Justin has posted several photos of him on Oramus and begged the question of how we cannot automatically love our new pontiff. I’ve recently found myself wondering the same thing. As I was gathering material for my last few entries, I found photos of the popes during whose reign […]
Not FARce From The Truth: 8th-Grade Health Class Squirms Throughout Entire Screening Of ‘Miracle Of Abortion’
March 21, 2013 by
The following post from the Onion warranted a re-printing: CANTON, MI—According to sources at Thomas E. Dewey Middle School, all 26 students in Mrs. Flannery’s fifth-period health class squirmed uncomfortably and grimaced in disgust Thursday throughout the screening of a 45-minute educational video titled The Miracle Of Abortion. Sources reported that the film, which uses […]
The Writing on the Ground
March 19, 2013 by
This Sunday’s gospel presents us with the story of the woman caught in adultery (not, of course, the man). The scribes and pharisees come to Jesus to test whether he’ll be obedient to the law of Moses, which prescribed death for such a one, or to Roman laws, which outlawed capital punishment by anyone but […]
The End of the Schism? Constantinople Patriarch First to Attend Papal Inaugural Mass in 1000 years!
March 16, 2013 by
AsiaNews.it declares that Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople will attend the inaugural mass of Pope Francis. This is absolutely historic, as it hasn’t happened in nearly a millennium! Catholic/Orthodox relations have been steadily improving since Vatican II, and in recent years, Popes like John Paul II and Benedict XVI have placed a heavy emphasis on ecumenical dialogue with […]
The Workings of the Holy Spirit in the Conclave
March 16, 2013 by
As we joyfully receive Pope Francis, we must look into the mysterious ways in which the Holy Spirit guides our cardinals in the election process. Before this Conclave, the Associated Press wrote about the politics involved. As with any worldwide organization, there will be competing sets of ideas and determination of one side to see […]
The Election of Pope Francis I in Pictures.
March 13, 2013 by
He’s the first Francis, the first Jesuit, the first American, etc. His papacy will probably be noted for its accent on humility.
A Non-Religious Defense of Waiting Until Marriage for Sex
March 13, 2013 by
As Catholics, we have an obligation to wait until marriage for sex. For the last two years, I have been an active member of Girls Ask Guys (GAG for short), a website on which guys and girls ask each other questions about dating, relationships, and sex. I’ve often been surprised by the number of up-votes […]
A Commentary on Dogma and Change
March 11, 2013 by
In 1978, Karol Cardinal Wojtyla became Pope John Paul II. Having earlier written Love and Responsibility which later revolutionized Church teachings on sex and marriage and having been present at the Second Vatican Council, many changes were expected from the first-ever Slavic pope. Many thought that he would challenge doctrine on abortion, birth control, male-only priesthood, […]
Q: Does God Want Only A Contrite Heart?
March 8, 2013 by
A reader asks: I . . . came across the daily readings. They seem to contradict themselves. . . . Hosea 6:1-6: The last couple versus are, “what am I to do with you, Ephraim? What am I to do with you, Judah? For your love is like morning mist, like the dew the quickly […]