See, this is what I am talking about

The small details of the Catholic world, like forgiveness of even the most horrible sins, gives me great hope. Take that creepy goth kids!

Pilgrimage anyone?

 

Now there is notneed to go to Mexico, Europe, but you do have to suffer through potentially getting stuck behind a deer carcass this time of year. The first approved U.S. Marian Apparition is in Green Bay!

This is Why I Love Being Catholic!

I’m spending my day cramming as much about different methods of childbirth into my little brain as possible, and I have a moral question. it is regarding hypnosis. I email a few people and then hit Google. Lo and behold, Pope Pius XII has an answer! I would not have expected a brilliant answer on pain in childbirth from the Pope, yet, I am not surprised. I love being Catholic, my life is so much easier and my brain is so much happier!

Cardinal Ennio Antonelli is my Hero!

From Zenit today..

Cardinal: Stay-at-Home Moms Need to Be Paid

Pontifical Council President Urges Family-Friendly Economics

ROME, MARCH 1, 2010 (Zenit.org).- The president of the Pontifical Council for the Family is stressing the importance of work done by those in the home and suggesting economic compensation for it.

Cardinal Ennio Antonelli called for financial and professional perks to encourage families when he spoke on "Family and Business, Vital Cells of Society," at a meeting of the Catholic Union of Businessmen and Executives (UCID) in Rome.

His proposals were reported last Friday in the Italian edition of L'Osservatore Romano.

During his address the Italian cardinal stressed that "domestic work deserves economic recognition."

He also said that "numerous families deserve special reductions and financial facilities," pointing to the examples of France and Germany where "families with three children pay €2,000 [$2,720] or €3,000 [$4,080] less."

The Vatican official noted that raising a family and seeking a career outside the home are compatible for women, but he urged support services: day care centers in businesses and neighborhoods, and for the elderly and handicapped, other social services.

He also pointed out the importance of offering women a "variety of opportunities in professional work: part-time work, telework, flexibility of hours and vacations."

Cardinal Antonelli cautioned against the price paid by marriage and family when women see careers and social success as the path to self-fulfillment. And he pointed out the negative effects when dads are absent from families.

From this priest I know

An Old Friend, Fr. Dennis Paul of St. Isadore's in Bloomingdale, IL.

We pray for their return

I sincerely hope that before the 500th anniversary of the split, the two can be reunited. G. K. Chesterton, we pray for your intercession.

Puppies Prisions and Wounded Soldiers

It's a strange combo, but I heard this story last week and thought it one of the most brilliant ideas I've ever heard.

Somethings in Life are Just Fun!

Living in Chicago, I cannot help but picture this in Union Station! Thanks to My friend Julie, the Internet Queen!

Something different on Economy and Stimuli

From Glimpses of the Church Fathers:

"In the economy of the mysteries of Christ, the miracles are graces and stimuli which reinforce doctrine. This enables us to follow the actions of Him whom we confess in the spirit of faith." - Saint Leo the Great, Homilia XII in ieiunio decimi mensis, 1-2

Things I have in Common with the new Japanese PM

He is Catholic and likes magna. 

I'm Catholic and have a small collection of magna. The story does not mention if he has a tendency to stay up waaaay to late on weekends trying to watch anime, though.

H/T: Mark Shea

I actually ( yes, I used the homeschool code word) find this very intriguing. We have been studying the reopening of Japan and Commodore Perry this month. To have a Catholic is office is remarkable, given how much Christian blood has been shed in Japan. St. Francis Xavier, missionary to the Samurai, pray for him.

WYD From my diocese

Again, just like during Germany, Joliet Diocese is keeping those of us back home up to date on the kids from here that are in Australia. So far, I have not seen the group from my parish, but there is a mislabeled picture, that is supposed to be our group. Keep them in your prayers, the 7 kids from my parish are a remarkable group, super smart, super nice, and they all have so much potential. Pray God will use this time to guide them in discerning their vocations and future.

I'm not a sports person, but this made me smile, and cry

My daughter wants to be a Dominican. Perhaps this could be her future home.

The smartest kid I know

My nephew, world champion origami creator, talented pianist, Calvin and Hobbes reader, and now to add to his accolades, perfect score on the ACT. And he leaves Friday for World Youth Day. And he was reading Harry Potter before it was cool, when the first book came out. Did I mention he was homeschooled for 5 years, but went to a private high school? So much talent in one 17 year old body! My poor kids don't even have a chance!