Catholic. Pastoral. Trusted.
I had been a subscriber to Liguorian for many years but stopped my subscription because of some of the liberal articles. In Fr. Lewandowski’s article, “When Jesus Was Deported,” he objects to the “organized removal of over a million undocumented immigrants.” He refers to this as “intolerant, inhospitable, and bigoted.”...
Prayer: Our Deepest Longing Ronald Rolheiser Franciscan Media $8.99 Those who pray can too often be dissatisfied with, even judgmental, of their practice. We believe we need to say correct words, assume a particular posture, or show God a certain face. And so we struggle with what is meant to...
Fr. Lewandowski’s wonderful article “Beyond Gun Control” (July-August 2013) offers a clear answer to all the world’s problems. Wow! If people could follow these simple instructions and control themselves, the world would be a safer and happier place. I’ve never read anything more inspirational—not a book but just a one-page...
October 2013
Meditation
My nephew died four years ago. He had just turned 19 and was co-captain of his high school wrestling team. He was jogging before a track meet one afternoon when a teammate drove up behind him. Horseplay. An accident. A tragedy.
Frankie was also my godson. Every year on his birthday, I visit his gravesite and release a helium balloon. I stand there watching it until it’s out of sight. I like to think it’s going up to Frankie in heaven and not headed for the trees in the next town. It’s my quiet way of remembrance. It does more for me, to soothe my soul, than it does for Frankie, who probably has no need of earthly gestures.
In the April 2013 Letters to the Editor, a reader took exception to the article “Luke and the Path to Christian Discipleship” (January): She said, “Eucharist is a communal act and should not become a purely private devotion.” I can identify with her feelings as well as the viewpoint of...
September 2013 Dear Liguorian Readers, If you’ve already read Virgil Tipton’s column, you know that change is once again in the air at Liguori Publications. As my assignment as president and publisher drew to a close, Liguori’s board of directors set out to find new leadership. Their choices are a...
Rebuilt Awakening the Faithful, Reaching the Lost, Making Church Matter Michael White and Tom Corcoran, foreword by Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan Ave Maria Press $16.95 In this inspiring, humorous, and practical book Fr. Michael White, pastor of the Church of the Nativity in Lutherville-Timonium, Maryland, and Tom Corcoran, pastoral associate,...
September 2013 On behalf of all of us at William H. Sadlier, Inc., our sincere congratulations on the hundredth anniversary of Liguorian. It’s a wonderful milestone to have achieved. To think of the hundreds of thousands of readers who have been uplifted, consoled, and/or strengthened in their faith is truly...
A little boy asked his grandpa how old he was. Grandpa teasingly replied, “I’m not sure.” To which the little boy advised, “Look in your underwear, Grandpa. Mine says I’m 4 to 6!” A teacher asked her students to write a sentence about a public servant. One boy wrote, “The...
Navigating the Interior Life: Spiritual Direction and the Journey to God Daniel Burke with Fr. John Bartunek, LC, STL Emmaus Road $13.95 This book gives ordinary people a powerful framework for participating in spiritual direction whether they are beginners, veterans of spiritual direction, or strugglers outside the process. Noting that all...
Editor’s Note: In recognition of World Youth Day 2013 (July 23–28 in Rio de Janeiro), we share this reader’s inspiring story about WYD 2002. As the director of religious education at St. Patrick’s Parish, I took about fifty teens to World Youth Day 2002 in Toronto. We experienced many funny...
A conceited rookie pitcher walked five men in his first game. The manager promptly removed him from the mound. The rookie slammed his glove on the ground and yelled, “I can’t believe he took me out—I had a no-hitter going!” A little boy asked, “Grandma, do you know how...
Hope and Help for Living with Illness Karen Zielinski, OSF | Foreword by Richard Rohr Franciscan Media $12.99 As we age, we must be prepared to face new health issues—either our own or those of loved ones—more and more often. Medications, treatments, and paperwork become stressful burdens, relationships often become...
Getting the Marriage Conversation Right A Guide for Effective Dialogue William B. May Emmaus Road Publishing $5.95 The current drive to redefine marriage lends a sense of urgency to this easy-to-read guide for answering questions and explaining what is at stake for the future of marriage and the rights of...
Kudos to you for featuring an article with teeth in it. I’m referring to “Blessed are the Peacemakers” by Bishop Anthony Taylor (January). Those of us in his diocese know that Bishop Taylor walks the walk. What is so difficult about loving our brothers and sisters? Do we think...
Inaccurate statement Steven Rolfes’ article on patron saints [“Saint-What’s-His-Name: Patron of Just-What-You-Need,” November 2010] mentions Saint Joseph and states, “He dealt with everything from a rather rushed marriage…,” which is an inaccurate statement. Mary and Joseph, both practicing Jews, followed the rules of their society, including the rites of the...
Women’s Groups Fighting Poverty Thanks to the vision and commitment of two religious women in San Antonio, Texas, their “sisters” around the world are being empowered to support one another in learning, leadership, and raising their communities’ economic standards of living. In 2001, Sisters Dorothy Ettling and Naomi Hayes, both...