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By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Writer
A string of articles praising President Barack Obama appearing in the Vatican’s newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano, is causing a wave of criticism across the Catholic world.
Billionaire Club Meets Secretly to Address Population Control
By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Writer
Some of the nation’s leading billionaires met secretly to consider ways in which they can use their wealth to slow the growth of the world’s population.
California Supreme Court Upholds Ban on Gay-Marriage
By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Writer
In a 6-1 decision, the California Supreme Court ruled to uphold a voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage known as Proposition 8. The also ruling allows the estimated 18,000 gay couples who married before the law took effect to remain married.
Baltimore Archdiocese to Investigate Miraculous Healing
By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Writer
The Archdiocese of Baltimore is investigating the miraculous recovery of an Annapolis woman who was healed of cancer that had spread throughout her body after praying a novena to Blessed Francis X. Seelos.
Angry Citizenry Causes Hate Crimes Bill to Stall in Senate
by Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Writer
A proposed hate crimes bill has been stalled in the Senate largely due to the 500,000 letters sent to senators by an angry constituency.
Sonia Sotomayor Nominated to Supreme Court
By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Writer
In an announcement made this morning, President Barack Obama has nominated Judge Sonia Sotomayor of New York as his pick to replace retiring justice David Souter. If confirmed, Sotomayor would be the first Hispanic to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court.
Aide Admits Obama Not Interested in Reducing Abortions
By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Writer
A participant in a recent White House meeting meant to find “common ground” on abortion says the official in charge admitted to a room full of people that the president is not interested in reducing the number of abortions, just the need for abortions.
Memorial Day 2009
Late For Mass
It is rare that the last one to arrive for Mass on Sunday is the priest, but such was the case at my church today. Father's tardiness was a simple human error that many of us have done at one time or another-- he set his alarm for the wrong time.
However, the fact that we were all gathered together waiting for our priest to arrive stirred a deep reflection in my soul. What if Father didn't arrive? What if there wasn't a priest to arrive? What if our priest was legally prevented from arriving?
The fact of the matter is, in countries throughout the world -- including our own -- one or all of these circumstances do happen.
How much gratitude do we express for the priesthood? To what extent do we pray for vocations? If we have sons, do we pray that one of them, or all of them, will respond to God's call should He invite?
Have we taken seriously the blessing of freedom of religion? Do we actively engage in the cultural and political events of our day to preserve this privilege?
Remember: no priest, no Mass. No Mass, no Eucharist. No Eucharist, no Church.
Satan knows this. Do we?
When Father arrived and the processional hymn began, gratitude filled my heart. First, for Father and his vocation. Second, that he was well and with us. Third, for the gift that is the Mass and the privilege to celebrate it.
May none of us take for granted the priest, the gift, the privilege.
Congressmen Challenge Obama on Conscience Protection
By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Writer
Two pro-life congressmen are challenging President Barack Obama on the statement he made at Notre Dame on Sunday to “draft a sensible conscience clause.”