Commentary by Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
Anyone who doubts the inevitability of the emergence of "death panels" doesn't need to wait until ObamaCare is in full force. The rationing has already begun.
Read the rest
"Silence is not a privation of stillness, nor a muteness, nor an emptiness; it is a communion by which one attains truth above creation and action."
Bishop Fulton J. Sheen
For Reflection:
What does it mean to attain "truth above creation and action?" In what practical ways can I begin to lead a more silent life - exteriorly and interiorly? I will make up a practical plan to implement this during Lent.
Read the rest
"Speak little to creatures but speak much to God. He will make you truly wise."
Mary Mazarello
For Reflection:
Of the words I speak each day, what percentage do I speak to God and what percentage do I speak to creatures? Am I happy with these totals especially in light of the gift of wisdom?
(See tomorrow's Grace Line to discover why much chatter is counterproductive to the spiritual life.)
Read the rest
"The love of talk distracts all the powers of our soul from God, and fills them with earthly objects and impressions like a vessel of water which cannot be clear and settled while you are continually stirring the earthly particles from the bottom."
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
For Reflection:
The powers of the soul are will, reason, and emotion. How can the "love of talk" draw these away from God? To what extent have I seen this to be true in myself? What practical strategies can I use to mortify myself of this tendency?
(See tomorrow's Grace Line to see how silence leads to wisdom.)
Read the rest
By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
The small contingent of Christians who live in Libya fear the fall of Muammar Gadhafi only because his government protected the Church and several other Christian denominations in this predominantly Muslim nation.
Read the rest
By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
The office of the General Counsel for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has joined a host of other groups from across the country who are decrying the president's decision on Wednesday to stop defending the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) because he personally believes it to be unconstitutional.
Read the rest
Commentary by Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
Even though Planned Parenthood always uses the "we provide access to other services such as mammograms" excuse for needing government funding, pro-life blogger Jill Stanek recently revealed that the organization doesn't perform mammograms at all but merely refers women elsewhere for these services.
Read the rest
"It is good when a soul loves solitude; it's a sign that it takes delight in God and enjoys speaking with Him."
St. Jane Frances de Chantal
For Reflection:
On a scale of one to ten - one being complete unrest and ten being utter solitude, where does my soul rank? What does this tell me about the level of my "delight in God?"
(See tomorrow's Grace Line to see the gift that comes with quiet.)
Read the rest
By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
Norma Jean Coon, who believed herself to have been ordained to the diaconate in 2007 has had a change of heart and has publicly posted a document of renunciation.
Read the rest
By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
A retired couple from St. Monica Catholic Church in Santa Monica who were among four Americans shot to death by Somali pirates on Feb. 22 are being remembered as a "wonderful part" of their parish community.
Read the rest
