By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Writer
A federal judge has ruled that a California public high school teacher who called creationism “superstitious nonsense” violated the constitutional rights of his students.
Monthly Archives: May 2009
Taliban Threatens Pope
By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Writer
On the eve of Pope Benedict XVI’s departure for the Holy Land, the Taliban issued a warning telling him to stop alleged attempts to convert Muslims in Afghanistan in order to prevent “serious consequences.”
Obama Appointee Calls Pope “Discredited Leader”
By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Writer
Just before being appointed to President Obama’s Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, Harry Knox told a gay newspaper that the Knights of Columbus “do a great deal of good” but they are following “discredited leaders” such as Pope Benedict.
Archbishop Wuerl Won’t Deny Communion to Speaker Pelosi
By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Writer
The Archbishop of Washington DC, Archbishop Donald Wuerl, said he won’t deny Holy Communion to the notoriously pro-abortion “Catholic” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi because “”the Church just didn’t use Communion” as a “weapon.”
Tsunami of Criticism Hits Planned Parenthood Over Mother’s Day Promo
By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Writer
A popular children’s author who suggested that people honor their mother this Mother’s Day by contributing to Planned Parenthood has caused such a deluge of outraged e-mails and phone calls that Planned Parenthood has issued a call for “help!”
Ring of Security Surrounds Pope During Upcoming Trip
By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Writer
When Pope Benedict XVI makes his apostolic visit to Israel on Monday, he will be surrounded by thousands of security forces.
White House Downplays National Day of Prayer
By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Writer
Today’s National Day of Prayer will receive scant attention from the Obama Administration as the president breaks from tradition and nixes a formal morning prayer service. He also decided not to attend a large Catholic prayer breakfast tomorrow morning.
State of Maine Approves Gay Marriage
By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Writer
On May 6, Maine Gov. John Baldacci (D) signed a newly passed bill allowing gay marriage, making it the fifth state in the U.S. to approve the practice. However, citizens may be able to halt the legislation by exercising their right to a “People’s Veto.”
Kids Say the “Darndest” Things
When I was a little girl, one of my favorite afternoon programs on television was House Party , hosted by television icon, Art Linkletter. I would watch and wait with anticipation for that one segment that kept me tuning in all through the long summer months.
It came near the end of the program and featured four young school children, seated on child-sized chairs elevated on a platform. The host, Mr. Linkletter himself, would interview the children one-by-one and ply from them honest, humorous, often unexpected answers laced with wisdom.
This popular segment of his program led to his best-selling book, Kids Saythe Darndest Things, illustrated by Charles Schultz and printed well over 50 years ago.
Last evening as I sung “goodnight songs” to my four year old granddaughter, I had an “Art Linkletter” moment.
Church Releases Statistics on Catholics in Jordan, Holy Land and Palestinian Territories
By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Writer
Even though most Papal visits take place amidst huge throngs of thousands of the faithful, the Pope’s upcoming trip to Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian Territories will present a much different picture because of the tiny populations of Catholics in these predominantly Muslim areas.
