Category: Amen to THAT

Sticking With It

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Denise at Catholic Matriarch in My Domestic Church shares a bit from Phil Lawler’s reflection on living out Catholic culture:

But what if some of us were conspicuously unified in our beliefs and in our behavior? What if there were enough of us striving to live an authentically Catholic life so that our neighbors couldn’t help but notice? Inevitably they would notice, too, if there was something a bit different about the way we lived: something distinctive, something attractive, something clearly in keeping with the teachings of the Church. We need to bear witness to the power of Christian principles, to act as the yeast within our society.

The quote is excellent–and is the inspiration by which I want to live out 2009–but don’t miss the rest that Denise has to say! While you’re at it, read the rest of Phil Lawler’s piece as well.

Delicious Day-After-Christmas Links

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Some things I found this morning–definitely worth the time!

Father Tom, ofm’s Christmas homily: “Eat the Cookie!”

Adoro on “O Little Town of Bethlehem” and the idea of the perfect Christmas. She stated it way better than I tried to yesterday.

Eye Opening

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Go over and lend Adoro some support today. She has a fabulous post about “rubrics v. charity” that will certainly inspire some discussion. There’s a lot in there, and it definitely moved me to reflect on my attitudes and actions. I hope that in the future I will think and behave differently.

A highlight:

If we love the law so much that we ignore the needs of our neighbor, then we have also failed to love God. The two cannot be separated!


Go read the whole thing. And respond with charity, not with venom.

What we’re up against

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Michelle lays it on the line. I think she hits the nail on the head here:

The goal here is to marginalize anyone who is devout. Devotion is bad because it induces guilt in those who are not devout.

Read the whole thing. It’s worth your time. And it’s more worth your time to think about what you and your family will do in response to this.

The Bishops Have Spoken

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Father Tom, ofm shares the text of the US Council of Catholic Bishops’ congratulatory letter to our newly-elected president:

Dear President-elect Obama,

I write to you, in my capacity as President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, to express our congratulations on your historic election as President of the United States.

The people of our country have entrusted you with a great responsibility. As Catholic Bishops, we offer our prayers that God give you strength and wisdom to meet the coming challenges.

Our country is confronting many uncertainties. We pray that you will use the powers of your office to meet them with a special concern to defend the most vulnerable among us and heal the divisions in our country and our world. We stand ready to work with you in defense and support of the life and dignity of every human person.

May God bless you and Vice President-elect Biden as you prepare to assume your duties in service to our country and its citizens.

Sincerely yours,
Francis Cardinal George, OMI
Archbishop of Chicago
President USCCB

As a committed and pro-life Catholic, I am disappointed and troubled by the election of one so anti-life. But I will continue to pray and hopefully to find ways to work to defend those who are most vulnerable. It’s time to move on and build a better America, one that values ALL people–not just those who are convenient.

Attention Shoppers:

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The Church is Not Wal-Mart

Father Philip Powell, OP, lists 10 reasons why.

Think About This

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Jean at Catholic Fire has a quote from Dr. Alveda King on the economy and loving our neighbor:

“If financial pressures cause us to stop loving our neighbors, to think only of ourselves, we have lost much more than money,” added Dr. King. “If we stop giving to charity, cease donating our time to help others, or, in the extreme, abort a baby for financial reasons, we literally sacrifice the eternal for the temporary…. As my uncle, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, ‘The time is always right to do what is right’.”

There’s more over at Jean’s site.

Common Sense

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Via Colleen Hammond, I came across this column on personal responsiblity.

As Justice Casey Percell said, “It is not the responsibility of the government or the legal system to protect a citizen from himself.“ You made a poor choice, take your lumps and move on.

So true! Read the whole thing.

That Book I Just Read & Reviewed

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Remember that book I just read and reviewed—A Civilization of Love by Carl Anderson?

Mr. Anderson really puts his money where his mouth is.

This morning over at Portiuncula (one of my favorite blogs on a Franciscan theme) there’s an article called “Supreme Knight of Columbus Calls for a Long Overdue Change on Abortion.”

One point made in this article:

“It is time that Catholics shine a bright line of separation between themselves and all those politicians of every political party who defend the abortion regime of Roe vs. Wade.”

Don’t stop here. Read the whole thing.