Putting together my VBS program for my church, I came across this and thought it was a powerful reminder of how important those corporal and spiritual works of mercy are. Ironic, since Keith Green was not exactly the most pro-Catholic Christian on the planet. But now that he’s had a chance to gain a more heavenly perspective (he died in 1982), I feel confident he’d be pleased that some Catholics love him, too!

All of the resources mentioned in this post are available for your convenience in the “Highly Recommended Favorites” widget to the right. Enjoy!Certain books and movies leave an indelible impression, especially those with characters that make a lasting contribution to the way we understand our place in the world. Some of these people are singularly courageous in love and life, others are fragile and even broken, yet they shine with undeniable gifts bubbling just beneath the surface. Today I’d like to share with you ten of the book-and-movie heroines that have made a lasting impression on me. Some are historical, others are characters … all […]

Editor’s Note/Disclaimer: In light of the high volume of parenting advice that has been going around Catholic cyberspace as of late, I decided it was time to post some valuable parenting advice someone recently gave me, in hopes it will make you chuckle … and thank God YOU never feel like doing this. Warning: PLEASE do not scroll down if your “Mommy Monster” hasn’t made an appearance since the first Bush administration. This is only for “regular” moms. Also, for the record, I can positively guarantee that the child in question is no one in our immediate family, and that my sister (who sent this […]

I was on YouTube a while back and found the video (shown below) by “Cari,” who shares with unflinching courage the story of how she made an adoption plan for her daughter. In another video, she gives us a bit more background of herself — an account of abuse and neglect that is as painful to read as it must have been to make. Although she is still clearly finding her way out of the darkness of the past, I couldn’t help but admire her desire to find a more hope-filled future for her child. Have a look … you’ll never forget it. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-q3enXZFqko&rel=1]

From today’s first reading, from the book of Wisdom … Before the LORD the whole universe is as a grain from a balanceor a drop of morning dew come down upon the earth.But you have mercy on all, because you can do all things;and you overlook people’s sins that they may repent. … Have you ever stopped to think about how many difficult people you encounter in the span of a single week? The self-righteous, the proud, the self-involved, the unbelievably obtuse? Have you ever stopped to consider how much of your mental and emotional energy is spent trying to change, exhort, or educate people […]

Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaimTill all the world adores His sacred Name!Led on their way by this triumphant sign,The hosts of God in conquering ranks combine. Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaimTill all the world adores His sacred Name!Each newborn servant of the CrucifiedBears on the brow the seal of Him Who died. George Kitchin and Michael Newbolt (1916) In today’s first reading, we find Moses leading the Chosen People in war against the soldiers of Amalek. He sends Joshua ahead with the troops, while he and his two trusted aides — his brother Aaron and brother-in-law, Hur […]