Special Articles posted by Fr Tom
47 years ago on January 22, 1973, in a court case known as Roe vs. Wade, seven judges in black robes (Members of the Supreme Court) affirmed that is a constitutional right for women to have to access to safe and legal abortion. The pro-life movement contains many millions of people who oppose abortion and … [Read more…]
Soon we will start to see Christmas trees on the curbsides or propped up against the back sheds. It usually starts the day after Christmas, with the number of discarded trees increasing until New Year’s Day when it starts to taper off. In the malls and on the city streets, the decorations are coming down, … [Read more…]
Everyone knows what January 1st is, right? It’s New Year’s Day, of course – the day the new year begins, the day after the parties, dancing, drinking, and revelry took place signaling that new year. It’s the day to start our resolutions and ponder our dreams. For many, it’s a day of football games and … [Read more…]
You have heard, O Virgin, that you will conceive and bear a son; you have heard that it will not be by man but by the Holy Spirit. The Angel awaits an answer; it is time for him to return to God who sent him. We too are waiting, O Lady, for your word of … [Read more…]
(Please note that the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception in 2019 is transferred to Monday, December 9th, this year and is not a holy day of obligation.) A feast called the Conception of Mary arose in the seventh century. In the 11th century it received its present name, the Immaculate Conception. In 1854, Pius IX … [Read more…]
GRECCIO, Italy — Pope Francis issued an apostolic letter Dec. 1 on the meaning and importance of Nativity scenes, calling for this “wonderful sign” to be more widely displayed in family homes and public places throughout the world. “The enchanting image of the Christmas crèche, so dear to the Christian people, never ceases to arouse … [Read more…]
The faithful illuminate vigil lights and votive candles for any number of reasons Lighting votive candles and vigil lights is a strong tradition in the Church that began at least 1,800 years ago, when lights were burned in the catacombs at the tomb of martyrs as a sign of unity with them. The lights kept … [Read more…]
The Church and the Sacraments bring peace at the end “Accompanying someone to death through hospice happens in small steps,” according to Debbie Hoermann of Toms River, New Jersey, who accompanied her 99-year-old aunt, Edith Hipp. “It is like a candle slowly burning out,” she said of those final days. “You have the chance to … [Read more…]
(Please note that the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception in 2019 is transferred to Monday, December 9th, this year and is not a holy day of obligation.) A feast called the Conception of Mary arose in the Eastern Church in the seventh century. It came to the West in the eighth century. In the 11th … [Read more…]
Funerals “say” things. They do not just “do” something, i.e., dispose of the remains. When Christians gather to pray, to mourn, and to support each other over the death of a brother or sister, they mark a human life. When they do so in the presence of the remains of the deceased, they remember that the body … [Read more…]