Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | 0 Comments
Now, the Work of Christmas Begins
When the song of the angels is stilled, When the star in the sky is gone, When the kings and the princes are home, When the shepherds are back with their flocks, The work of Christmas begins ~Howard Thurman Today, at Mass we read about the Baptism of Christ Jesus. This is the time when I usually take down our Christmas decorations and pack them away until the coming December. It is usually a very sad time for me,...
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Epiphany
And suddenly the star they had seen rising went forward and halted over the place where the child was. The sight of the star filled them with delight, and going into the house they saw the child with his mother Mary, and falling to their knees they did him homage. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh. Matthew 2:9-11...
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I Support Religious Freedom
All this hoopla about Dan Cathy, CEO of Chick-fil-A, believing that marriage is between one man and one woman has caused a lot of interesting discussions. Add in Mayor Emanuel claiming that the views of Cathy are not the views of Chicago, while also supporting Louis Farrakhan, who also believes as Cathy does, and the discussion continues. Some who have discussed this topic suggest that Farrakhan is entitled to his view because he is a “religious leader” but...
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Using Our Gifts
The particular manifestation of the Spirit granted to each one is to be used for the general good. To one is given from the Spirit the gift of utterance expressing wisdom; to another the gift of utterance expressing knowledge, in accordance with the same Spirit; to another, faith, from the same Spirit; and to another, the gifts of healing, through this one Spirit; to another, the working of miracles; to another, prophecy; to another, the power of distinguishing...
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Let’s Just Trample the First Amendment...
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. ~First Amendment On January 20, 2011, the Obama Administration announced it will force all insurance plans to provide coverage for abortifacients, contraceptives, sterilization, and abortions, including those plans provided by religious organizations vehemently...
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Pro-life – The Only Choice
On this day, in 1973, abortion was made legal in the United States. Since that time millions of unborn babies have been killed. While some may call this “choice,” I call this tragedy. Today, in remembrance of this anniversary, I am sharing the words of others, words of life. To me, life is the only choice. “He who denies that human life begins with conception does not need to contend with religion, but science. To deny this certainty...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | 0 Comments
What Do They Mean By “Choice”?...
“If we accept that a mother can kill even her own child, how can we tell other people to not kill each other? Any country that accepts abortion is not teaching its people to love, but to use any violence to get what they want.” ~Mother Teresa January 22, 2012, marks the 39th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the legislation that legalized abortion. On that day, pro-abortion groups are sponsoring a “Blog for Choice Day.” I am joining other...
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Ask Them What They Mean By ‘Choice’ Blog Day is January 21!...
“The undeniable fact is that those who defend the destruction of innocent human life in the form of abortion and euthanasia cannot confront the moral issues, nor can they confront the history that proves beyond a doubt the similarity between their reasoning and that of the most heinous murderers of history.” ~ Msgr. Ignacio Barreiro-Carámbula, HLI Interim President, Human Life International e-Column, September 24, 2010 Tomorrow, January 22, 2011, marks the 38th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the...
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Remembering Uncle John
“Trust in God’s timing. It’s always right.” (This essay was originally written on Monday, December 20, 2010.) I am trying to keep this saying close to heart today. This morning, my dear Uncle John was called home to heaven at 9:45am. To some who saw him, but did not know him, he probably looked like just another elderly man, toting around his portable oxygen for the past couple of years. To me, he was always the man who...
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Is Silence Really Golden?
” I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.” ~Elie Wiesel Yesterday, our priest gave an excellent sermon on the sanctity of life. He has been one of our priests since I was a child. He is about the same age as my folks (a year younger, actually); we share the same...
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A Fundamental Right?
“….is it surprising that today we have become so morally blind (for wickedness blinds) that we save the baby whales at great cost, and murder millions of unborn children?” ~Alice von Hildebrand, The Privilege of Being a Woman Yesterday, January 22, 1010, was the 37th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, a Supreme Court decision which deemed abortion a “fundamental right” under the Constitution of the United States. I do believe that this decision has led to a complete...
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Perhaps the Grinch was Correct
“Maybe Christmas,” he thought, “doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas… perhaps… means a little bit more.” ~ Dr. Seuss (1904-1991), American author of children’s books. From ‘How The Grinch Stole Christmas’. ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’ is one of my all time favorite Christmas books. What is not to love? Here we have the story of the old curmudgeon who detests Christmas. Instead of living privately with his own misery, he seeks to make those around him...
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Counting My Blessings
“If you’re worried and you can’t sleep, just count your blessings instead of sheep, and you’ll fall asleep counting your blessings…” ~Irving Berlin, from “White Christmas” For the past few weeks, I had been struggling to find the joy in this holiday season. It is the second one without my dad; my uncle (my dad’s brother) is nearly ready to join Dad in heaven; and I have been sorely missing several other loved ones who have long left...
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It’s “Merry Christmas, ” Not “Happy Holidays”...
A recent conversation on Facebook was started when a friend of mine posted that she did not want to hear “Happy Holidays” or “Seasons Greetings,” but rather “Merry Christmas.” Her reasoning was quite sound: Jesus is the reason for the season. I do agree with her. Discussion ensued about Christmas programs now being called “Winter Programs” or “Holiday Programs” so that those who do not observe Christmas may be included in the festivities. There certainly has been a...
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Friends, Family & Fate
You meet people who forget you. You forget people you meet. But sometimes you meet those people you can’t forget. Those are your ‘friends.’Once again, life is showing me that people are placed within the lives of others for a reason. I originally met my friend, Beverly, some 13 years ago when her son joined the Cub Scout pack at the local school. Through the years we have been like sisters: we have laughed and cried together, we...
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Two Kittens and Ten Months
July 3, 2009. Today is the ten-month anniversary of the death of my dad, Remo. This morning, I had a few moments where the loss was tearing at my heart. I was sitting in the living room, looking out the front windows, recalling a July day last year when I drove my dad by the house to see the way my husband, David, had landscaped the yard. Dad admired the new bushes, flowers and paver blocks. This morning,...