Category: The Christian Life

A few months ago I blogged about Catholic Relief Services’ partnership with Equal Exchange, a program that markets fairly traded coffee grown by small farmers. If you’re interested in purchasing this coffee for your home, your rectory, or your parish (think how well it would taste with donuts!), here’s where you can order. On the… Continue reading Catholic Relief Services Fair Trade Program

Jesus in the House of Mary and Martha (Vermeer) ….patron saint of housewives (among others.) 19 And many of the Jews were come to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. 20 Martha therefore, as soon as she heard that Jesus was come, went to meet him: but Mary sat at home. 21… Continue reading Today is the feast of St Martha…

Just in case I’m not the last person in St Blog’s who hasn’t seen this Crisis article by George Sim Johnston, exploring how it wasn’t quite all Vatican 2’s fault…. here’s the link to After the Council: If the Church was in such good shape before the council, why did things fall apart so rapidly… Continue reading The ’60’s didn’t come out of nowhere

Steven reflects on the reality behind “Made in China” and provides an infolink about the Laogai. I was complaining that for some goods, it’s hard to find any that aren’t made in China: lights for the Christmas tree, for example. Or children’s shoes — it’s not just the cheapies; even Stride Rite shoes are made… Continue reading Made in China, but by whom?

My mom gave us a lovely gift for our anniversary this year: a copy of Our Family Book of Life. My sister and her husband received a copy as a wedding gift last year (note to self: buy card), and I was gushing over what a great idea it was, especially for a wedding present.… Continue reading Our Family Book of Life

V/ Lord, have mercy. R/ Lord, have mercy. V/ Christ, have mercy. R/ Christ, have mercy. V/ Lord, have mercy. Christ, hear us. R/ Christ, graciously hear us. R/ for ff: have mercy on us God, the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us God, the Son, Redeemer of the world, God, the Holy Spirit,… Continue reading The Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday of this week are Ember Days. The Catholic Encyclopedia tells us that Ember Days were given to us by the Church to “thank God for the gifts of nature, to teach men to make use of them in moderation, and to assist the needy.” They were days of fast and abstinence.… Continue reading Ember Days

Am I mean? Am I just narrow-minded, divisive, overly rigid, Pharasaical, because of my dismay at our recessional “hymn” at Mass today? As announced by the cantor: “In honor of our country’s history, our recessional song will be God Bless America. ” Hmm. I think that singing a hymn asking God’s guidance and blessing for… Continue reading Am I just a grump?