By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Writer
In a tragic example of the devastation wreaked on the innocent by the breakdown of the family, a 15 year-old pregnant teen in foster care, who was being molested by her 36 year–old adopted brother, was shot and killed while waiting at a school bus stop in Charlotte, North Carolina.
By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
The White House is planning to meet this week with a major pro-life leader about the problem of abortion coverage in health care reform, but at the same time, it is refusing to speak with a pro-life Congressman who claims to have enough votes to derail the House bill if abortion coverage is not specifically excluded.
My Dear Friends in Christ,
I am going on retreat for the next eight days. Please keep me in your prayers during this time. I will try to get a blog or two out to you while away, but if not, I will be back with you the week of September 27. May the abundant life of Jesus Christ be yours.
In His Service,
Johnnette
By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Writer
A U.S. District Court has issued a temporary order preventing the release of the names of citizens who signed a petition in support of a marriage referendum in the state of Washington after groups in favor of same-sex marriage threatened to publish the names on the internet.
By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
An increasing number of lawmakers are calling for a thorough investigation and the severing of all government ties with ACORN (Assocation of Community Organizations for Reform Now) after an undercover sting revealed workers giving advice on how to skirt federal law.
By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
In an interview with an Italian daily, the Catholic Archbishop of Moscow said the reunification of the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches – which have been separated for more than a millennium – could be achieved “within months.”
Devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows has its roots back to apostolic times. St. John the Evangelist stood with Mary at the 
foot of the cross. He witnessed first hand her holy grief and affliction, but witnessed as well her steadfast devotion to her Son and her maternal entrance into his sufferings.
So profound was Mary’s witness that St. John records the event in his Gospel account. It was the fulfillment of Simeon’s prophesy of the Infant Jesus in the temple: “And a sword will pierce you own heart so that the thoughts of many hearts would be revealed.” You can read about that moment in the second chapter of St. Luke’s Gospel.
Theologians tell us that Mary’s fiat to God, her yes, at the moment of her annunciation was also her yes to the all of the contradictions and sorrows that would accompany her motherhood. And it was the grace-filled strength of that yes that held her under that tree for three long hours as she watched her Son’s agonizing death.
By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
Catholic dioceses across the state of Maine are actively raising money and support for a November ballot initiative to reverse a law allowing same-sex marriage in the state.
Steadfast Cross
Steadfast cross, among all other
Thou art a tree of great prize;
In a branch and flower such another
I ne wot non in wood nor rise.
Sweet be the nails, and sweet be the tree,
And sweeter be the burden that hangs upon thee.
Anonymous from the Middle Ages
By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
As a new school year begins, recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance is once again under attack by groups who say children should be told they have the right to opt out of reciting the pledge in their classrooms.
