On November 7, Congress gave many observers a big surprise. On a vote of 240 to 194, the House of Representatives approved an amendment to maintain longstanding policies against federal abortion funding in proposed health care reform legislation.
Author: Kevin Wondrash
Old age: The equalizer?
It’s a privilege to get old; not everyone has the chance to experience life in their 80s. It’s a time when we can no longer hide our age with cosmetics and high style when there are other obvious signs of deterioration.
Whereas we once walked tall, carrying ourselves with grace, we are now shrunken and our backs are bent. The sure-footed stride has evolved into cautious baby steps. And the head held high now is bent to watch for possible ice or bumps on our path.
Our covenant through Baptism
Thankfulness for many blessings over this past year already fills the minds and hearts of my family and, I imagine, yours, as well. In particular, thanking God for my cousins’ now one-year-old quadruplets. Yes, that’s right. We are all still amazed at this spontaneous gift from God to Michael, Angela, and little Delaney. Now they are seven. Like some other great stories it happened once upon a night.
Anwar al Awlaki and the Fundamental Option
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Editor’s note: The following column is adapted from Bishop Robert C. Morlino’s staff catechesis on November 11.
If you’ve paid attention to the news in recent weeks, you may have heard the name Anwar al Awlaki. He is the former imam (which is the Muslim term for pastor) of a mosque in Fairfax County, Virginia, whose services and sermons were attended by Major Nidal Malik Hasan, the Fort Hood killer, and simultaneously, three of the 9-11 hijackers.
Awlaki, who now resides in Yemen, has articulated, as a pastor, a concept of conscience. This is one of our main words of interest as Catholics: “conscience.” Awlaki has said that Major Hasan, who killed 13 and wounded many others, is in very good conscience as a Muslim because it is good to prevent American service people from waging war in Islamic countries, however you do it. It is, Awlaki articulated, the Will of Allah, that faithful Muslims take such preventative measures against American or allied service people, because the good of the worldwide Islamic Caliphate requires it. The Caliphate, in general, refers to a huge Islamic State which is desired by many Islamic extremists.
Making time to take a retreat
You haven’t changed a bit. That was the tongue in cheek line at a recent reunion I attended. As home towns go, mine is the best, of course. Small but still drawing all of us wayfarers back from time to time to catch up on things.
Reunions make that possible thanks to those who give their energy and time to draw a community together. Our oneness of experience growing up made for good conversations and the rekindling of memories from years gone by.
Just one more thing . . .
Picture it. The rich man encountering Jesus Christ. Face to face. As they look into each others’ eyes. People hear the commotion, inching closer. Can you feel the tension? The rich man, feeling quite well about himself, I am sure, asking Jesus if there is more.
“You follow the commandments, you say? You are a good person, you say? That’s great. But it’s not enough . . .
Challenged to keep our faith
Afraid. When he mentioned this word, I was surprised because of all he had been through. What could make him afraid now?
His name was An and we had met at a retreat where he told me that he was one of the boat people who fled from southeast Asia some years ago. Government authorities had discovered the Catholic seminary where he was a student.
When pregnancy goes awry
Human pregnancy begins whenever a sperm unites with an egg inside the fallopian tube. The newly-minted embryo must then travel along the fallopian tube during the next few days before finally implanting into the wall of the mother’s uterus.
In rare instances, the embryo will fail to reach the uterus and will instead implant in the fallopian tube along the way, which is a very narrow tube not designed to support a pregnancy.
Thirty pounds lighter, thanks to an Angel
Why do I feel like dancing? Could it be that I have shed 30 pounds?
Oh, I haven’t found a diet that works that well. Instead, I have an Angel that swooped down and helped me clean out my bedroom closet. Ten pounds went to the cleaners and 20 to St. Vinnie’s. And that makes me feel light enough to dance.
‘What do you think?’
Look to see where people are making a path before putting in a new sidewalk. In other words, don’t waste time and effort on something people won’t use. Along the same line, refrain, as best you can, from answering questions people aren’t asking. This intends to help address the question — why aren’t they listening? As with other sayings, these may offer a little food for thought.
Yes, it is important to look and listen and be aware of what is going on around us. In addition, it is also important to consult. To see what common sense approaches are staring us in the face even if it has to do with the placing of a sidewalk where it will be used. To ask, to invite their questions so that attentive listeners await our response to what is on their minds, what are their needs, is important. Instead of, “Here’s a plan. I hope you like it,” we generally prefer hearing the words, “What do you think?” To be consulted.