Discover

By Dr. Jeff Mirus ( bio – articles – email ) | Dec 10, 2024 It’s amazing how out of touch with current reality we can become as we age. I’ve mentioned before Hilaire Belloc’s interesting thesis that people in their sixties tend to still fight the battles in which they were engaged in their twenties and thirties, even though current problems might be quite different. The battles we keep fighting also depend on our personal inclinations, and if our inclinations haven’t changed (as, for example, through a deepening conversion) we are even more likely to bypass current reality in favor of attacking old straw men. But there is something far deeper at stake than our own theories of what is wrong with the Church and the world. I am sure examples could be taken from my own life and the...

(ZENIT News / Rome, 12.08.2024).- As Pope Francis approaches his 88th birthday, the past week has brought a mix of minor injuries, unexpected protests, and moments of quiet reflection for the pontiff. A Visible Injury Sparks Curiosity  On Friday, December 6, the Pope appeared for his first public engagement with a noticeable bruise on his chin and neck, sparking immediate speculation. By evening, Vatican spokespersons confirmed the cause: an accidental bump against a bedside table the previous morning. Such incidents are common among older individuals, yet the timing—just days before his milestone birthday—highlighted the Pope’s advancing age and his enduring commitment to his duties despite occasional mishaps. Protest Disrupts Marian Celebration  Just two days later, on December...

Catholic University of America facing $30 million deficit Skip to content The president of The Catholic University of America announced on Tuesday a $30 million “structural deficit,” and has asked university personnel for ideas to generate revenue and cut costs in the coming year. McMahon Hall at The Catholic University of America. Credit: Wikimedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Share University President Peter Kilpatrick cited decreasing tuition revenue and increases in expenses as the cause of deficit spending for five of the last seven years. Kilpatrick, who took office in July 2022, said the university has made plans to address its financial situation through budget cuts and potential revenue growth opportunities. He also asked the university community for ideas to balance the budget for the next fis...

Thanks to team work and tremendous dedication, the girls at Oakcrest School are celebrating a victory three years in the making… Editor’s Note: This story was originally published at TheologyofHome.com. It is reprinted here with permission.  Each year the classical radio station in Washington, D.C. WETA (90.9) hosts the annual Classical Countdown. Listeners vote on their top three favorite classical pieces and then the top 100 pieces are played the week of Thanksgiving. For years and years, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony (which includes the Ode to Joy) has taken first place. Everyone knew this and expected it to happen again in 2022. But two years ago, instrumental music director, Alix Baldwin at Oakcrest School, a Catholic school in Vienna, Virginia, had an idea. She su...

(OSV News) — Advent is the perfect time to make a retreat, and opportunities abound, whether it’s overnight retreats, days of reflection, parish missions or evening events. Stepping away from the hustle and bustle is enticing, especially as we prepare our hearts for Christmas. However, not all of us are able to take advantage of those opportunities. It can be especially hard for families who are already pinched for time and money as Christmas approaches. Yet, we want to observe Advent in a pronounced way. What can we do? With some prayerful and inspired ingenuity, we can form our own Advent retreat at home. While it’s optimal to remove ourselves from our usual surroundings, we can make an effective retreat at home, simply by changing our schedule and attitude. All it takes is planning and ...