Q: After my mother suffered a massive heart attack I offered to have her move in with me so I could provide the necessary care. That was six months ago and in that time she has progressively gotten weaker and less able to care for herself. My care in the beginning consisted of making meals, doing her laundry and reminding her to take her medications. Now she is having trouble walking on her own; she definitely needs help with her personal hygiene and we have not talked about this level of care. I am extremely uncomfortable giving my mother a shower or helping her with other needs such as going to the bathroom. How can I convince her to accept some outside help? (From a daughter in Sun Prairie).
Category: Columns
Here’s a chance to influence state policy
We can’t live out our vocation as faithful citizens unless we are also active between elections, when the hard work of making laws and policies is done.
Some of that hard work will take place in the next few weeks when the Joint Committee on Finance schedules its hearings on Governor Scott Walker’s state budget proposal. Those hearings will give Catholics and others a chance to influence the content of that budget. It is a chance we should exploit.
The Holy Eucharist: History of the Mass, part four
This is the final installment in a four-part series on the Eucharist.
In the last segment of this history of Holy Mass, we noted the rise of the “Liturgical Movement” in the 19th century — an effort to achieve genuine and deep renewal of the sacred liturgy. In the United States, certain monasteries led the movement in a particular way, much as had been the case in Europe.
Experiencing the Church without a leader
Editor’s note: This is the second of a series of reflections on recent events happening at the Vatican by Diocese of Madison seminarians studying in Rome.
As a seminarian, it is impossible to escape the curiosity of others. There are always questions about what it is like living in a seminary, what you study, how often do you pray, what do you do for fun, etc.
Qualities needed for the unique papal office
At the point at which John Paul II began his papacy in the first volume of my biography of him, Witness to Hope, I borrowed some thoughts from Hans Urs von Balthasar and tried to explain a bit of the uniqueness of the papal office:
An impossible task
“To be pope is to take on a task that is, by precise theological definition, impossible. Like every other office in the Church, the papacy exists for the sake of holiness. The office, though, is a creature of time and space, and holiness is eternal. No one, not even a pope who is a saint, can fully satisfy the office’s demands.
Researcher uncovers the dark world of the Pill
Author’s note: This is the second in our series of interviews on Heroes for Life — Catholics who are doing extraordinary things for the pro-life movement. I have included the scientific citation links in the text of the interview so you can read more on the published research on this compelling topic which has far-reaching implications for our society. — Lillian Quinones, senior, St. Ambrose Academy, Madison
Following is an interview with Vicki Thorn, founder of Project Rachel and the executive director of the National Office of Post-Abortion Reconciliation and Healing located in Milwaukee.
She is an international speaker/author on the topic on post-abortion healing. She has done extensive research on the biology of bonding/attachment and on the biochemistry of attraction which relates to the Theology of the Body.
Seminarian reflects on the final days of Benedict XVI
Editor’s note: This is the first of a series of reflections on recent events happening at the Vatican by Diocese of Madison seminarians studying in Rome.
As a seminarian for the Diocese of Madison, studying in Rome, the unexpected news of the pope’s resignation has dramatically impacted the life of the seminary and the spiritual life of each seminarian as we pray for His Holiness Benedict XVI, Roman pontiff emeritus, and the cardinals as they prepare to enter conclave.
From the moment we heard the announcement, the North American College seminarians were in abuzz talking about the Holy Father’s decision while trying to concentrate on studying and completing final exams which we were in the midst of taking.
The Holy Eucharist: History of the Mass, part three
Council of Trent (1545-1563)
The Council of Trent was called not primarily to look at the liturgy, but rather to counter the attack on the doctrine and practice of the Church by the reformers. The Reformation in northern Europe had devastated the Church. The Council wanted to restore it to full theological orthodoxy in the face of attacks on Catholic beliefs, and to renew the vigor of the life of Catholics.
Sacrament of Reconciliation prepares us to celebrate Easter
Somerset Maugham, the famous British novelist, once remarked, “I have done things that I am unable to entirely forget. If I had been fortunate enough to be Catholic, I could have delivered myself of them at confession, received absolution, and put them out of my mind forever.”
His statement makes us realize how blessed we are to have the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Pope Benedict leaves valuable witness
As Ash Wednesday approached, I was thinking that this was going to be a Lent like most others. And then came the news on February 11!