The sounds from silence
At the first in a weekly series of Lenten speakers in a Chicago church, the presenter was every bit informed, articulate and spiritually motivated. Much of what he said remains with me as I make my way on the journey and attempt to put into motion some of his recommendations to help pave the way for Easter.
At the first in a weekly series of Lenten speakers in a Chicago church, the presenter was every bit informed, articulate and spiritually motivated. Much of what he said remains with me as I make my way on the journey and attempt to put into motion some of his recommendations to help pave the way for Easter.
Melt your heart
From Fannie Mays to Frango Mints, Hershey bars to Hershey’s Kisses, there never seems to be a meltdown where chocolate is concerned. Whether it lifts your spirits, raises your cholesterol or packs on a few pounds, serious fans of the indescribably delicious sweet stuff find chocolate irresistible at every turn.
From Fannie Mays to Frango Mints, Hershey bars to Hershey’s Kisses, there never seems to be a meltdown where chocolate is concerned. Whether it lifts your spirits, raises your cholesterol or packs on a few pounds, serious fans of the indescribably delicious sweet stuff find chocolate irresistible at every turn.
New life from the rubble
When people of faith think of christenings, it usually conjures up an image involving infants, parents, godparents, in a church setting, with a clergyman, sacramental oil and water and more. When the U.S. Navy plans a christening, it’s about celebrating a different kind of new life—a ship fresh out of the yard and ready for launch—complete with a big bottle of bubbly, military brass, dignitaries and the media.
When people of faith think of christenings, it usually conjures up an image involving infants, parents, godparents, in a church setting, with a clergyman, sacramental oil and water and more. When the U.S. Navy plans a christening, it’s about celebrating a different kind of new life—a ship fresh out of the yard and ready for launch—complete with a big bottle of bubbly, military brass, dignitaries and the media.
Take it to the ballot box
Do you remember the first time you voted? Who was the individual that won your confidence, convincing you that he or she was the ticket to a sound economy and a world at peace? Did you feel an excitement that made you nearly breathless as you stood alone with a ballot and a feeling of empowerment?
Do you remember the first time you voted? Who was the individual that won your confidence, convincing you that he or she was the ticket to a sound economy and a world at peace? Did you feel an excitement that made you nearly breathless as you stood alone with a ballot and a feeling of empowerment?
Lessons learned on the journey
As we head into the annual celebration of Catholic Schools Week, there are ever-present challenges to overcome and some changes to accept.
As we head into the annual celebration of Catholic Schools Week, there are ever-present challenges to overcome and some changes to accept.
Word revelation
Sometimes the best way to take the collective pulse of the people is to look at the words that are most often bantered about in board rooms, coffeehouses, over lunch or on Internet blogs.
Sometimes the best way to take the collective pulse of the people is to look at the words that are most often bantered about in board rooms, coffeehouses, over lunch or on Internet blogs.
Making and breaking records
In the Diocese of Joliet another significant record was set by the people who live and work and worship across the 4,000 square miles of this Illinois region. This season the Explorer collected more than $24,000 in just four weeks for The Gift of Christmas.
In the Diocese of Joliet another significant record was set by the people who live and work and worship across the 4,000 square miles of this Illinois region. This season the Explorer collected more than $24,000 in just four weeks for The Gift of Christmas.
A shepherd’s tale
Once upon a time there was a shepherd by the name of William Alphonsus. When he was a child, everyone called him “Foncie” because there were already enough men in the family with one or more versions of the same moniker—be it William, Bill, Willy, Will, Liam—and even his middle name, Alphonsus, was a bit formal for a no-frills kind of guy like himself.
Once upon a time there was a shepherd by the name of William Alphonsus. When he was a child, everyone called him “Foncie” because there were already enough men in the family with one or more versions of the same moniker—be it William, Bill, Willy, Will, Liam—and even his middle name, Alphonsus, was a bit formal for a no-frills kind of guy like himself.
Wheels that make the wagon roll
Snow and ice might prohibit even the sturdiest of wagons from being navigated over neighborhood sidewalks across the Diocese of Joliet these frigid December days.
Snow and ice might prohibit even the sturdiest of wagons from being navigated over neighborhood sidewalks across the Diocese of Joliet these frigid December days.
Bridge builders
There’s a bridge for sale in a part of Crawford County known as the Driftless Area of southwest Wisconsin. Spanning the Kickapoo River as it meanders through the town of Soldiers Grove, the bridge—said to be close to 100 years old—hasn’t seen much traffic for the past 30 years or so.
There’s a bridge for sale in a part of Crawford County known as the Driftless Area of southwest Wisconsin. Spanning the Kickapoo River as it meanders through the town of Soldiers Grove, the bridge—said to be close to 100 years old—hasn’t seen much traffic for the past 30 years or so.
Giving is golden
Dolly Madison’s profile graces a newly minted fine gold coin that is said to weigh a hefty one-half ounce. Wife of James, fourth president of the United States, Madison proved to be a heroine when she was “good as gold” and saved the original drafts of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence before the British forces burned the White House during the War of 1812.
Dolly Madison’s profile graces a newly minted fine gold coin that is said to weigh a hefty one-half ounce. Wife of James, fourth president of the United States, Madison proved to be a heroine when she was “good as gold” and saved the original drafts of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence before the British forces burned the White House during the War of 1812.
The simple truth
Once again, the Catholic Explorer is partnering with Catholic Charities in an effort to make the Christmas holidays a time for families and individuals across the diocese to shake off the heavy mantle of financial burden just long enough to relish the celebration of Christ’s birth.
Once again, the Catholic Explorer is partnering with Catholic Charities in an effort to make the Christmas holidays a time for families and individuals across the diocese to shake off the heavy mantle of financial burden just long enough to relish the celebration of Christ’s birth.
Communicating is no monkey business
It’s likely that language scientists around the world paused in a moment of thoughtful silence Oct. 30 at the news that Washoe, the first chimpanzee to master the skill of using human sign language, had passed away at the age of 42.
It’s likely that language scientists around the world paused in a moment of thoughtful silence Oct. 30 at the news that Washoe, the first chimpanzee to master the skill of using human sign language, had passed away at the age of 42.
Shh-hh-hh!
When was the last time you participated in a moment of silence? Was it pierced by a chiming cell phone or a wailing siren?
When was the last time you participated in a moment of silence? Was it pierced by a chiming cell phone or a wailing siren?
Immigration reform buried like ‘Johnny Doe’
After two years of intense investigation on the part of law enforcement—struggling to identify the toddler found dead and stuffed in a laundry bag in the autumn of 2005 near Warrenville—the decomposed body of the boy was finally laid to rest Oct. 15.
After two years of intense investigation on the part of law enforcement—struggling to identify the toddler found dead and stuffed in a laundry bag in the autumn of 2005 near Warrenville—the decomposed body of the boy was finally laid to rest Oct. 15.
The shirt on your back
For a while it seemed that there was nothing memorable about the Oct. 7 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon—other than the disastrously dangerous heat that put participants in peril, the disappointment on the part of runners who had to pull up and abandon the course when officials recommended shutting it down and the countless numbers who collapsed and ended up in area hospitals.
For a while it seemed that there was nothing memorable about the Oct. 7 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon—other than the disastrously dangerous heat that put participants in peril, the disappointment on the part of runners who had to pull up and abandon the course when officials recommended shutting it down and the countless numbers who collapsed and ended up in area hospitals.
Sharing the honor and glory
For nearly 150 years the Congressional Medal of Honor has been bestowed—by the president of the United States on behalf of Congress—on mostly military heroes from the Civil War to the war in Iraq. And now the living members of that elite corps have decided that heroes come in all shapes and sizes and don’t necessarily have to wear a uniform or carry a weapon.
For nearly 150 years the Congressional Medal of Honor has been bestowed—by the president of the United States on behalf of Congress—on mostly military heroes from the Civil War to the war in Iraq. And now the living members of that elite corps have decided that heroes come in all shapes and sizes and don’t necessarily have to wear a uniform or carry a weapon.
The bite behind the bark
There’s good news for dog lovers. Reba is back home—safe and sound. After two weeks of frantic searching, the 12-year-old canine was returned and reunited Sept. 22 with her owner, Tom Finley, in the face of a media frenzy at Chicago’s Anti-Cruelty Society.
There’s good news for dog lovers. Reba is back home—safe and sound. After two weeks of frantic searching, the 12-year-old canine was returned and reunited Sept. 22 with her owner, Tom Finley, in the face of a media frenzy at Chicago’s Anti-Cruelty Society.
The real deal on candle power
As people who regularly fill the pews of our parish churches, we are more than comfortable with the flickering glow and familiar scent of burning candles. So this campaign might be a perfect fit for us.
As people who regularly fill the pews of our parish churches, we are more than comfortable with the flickering glow and familiar scent of burning candles. So this campaign might be a perfect fit for us.
Confronting crisis
Just before sunrise one day last week—as the city awoke from its slumber and folks rubbed the sleep from their eyes, preparing to face the unknowns of a new day—a couple of teens were discovered sleeping inside the vestibule of the building where my husband and I live; they were huddled together for warmth against what no doubt had been a chilly September night.
Just before sunrise one day last week—as the city awoke from its slumber and folks rubbed the sleep from their eyes, preparing to face the unknowns of a new day—a couple of teens were discovered sleeping inside the vestibule of the building where my husband and I live; they were huddled together for warmth against what no doubt had been a chilly September night.