Melanie Rigney's Blog, page 71
April 1, 2016
On the Nightstand: April 2016
Wow. I became so engrossed last month in Rod Dreher’sThe Little Way of Ruthie Lemingthat I overrode my Metro stop one day! So this
month, I’m going to be reading what in essence sounds like a sequel:How Dante Can Save Your Life: The Life-Changing Wisdom of History’s Greatest Poem. Rather than a study guide for Dante, the book tells of the spiritual and physical crisis Dreher experienced in the aftermath of a big decision he made after the death of his sister, Ruthie.
Friends in Faith: Beth Haug
Beth Haug and my sister have been friends for decades… since right around their fifth birthdays. Beth had a special way about her when we were kids–those big, beautiful brown eyes, that sober, thoughtful nature, punctuated at just the right times with an impish grin.
Beth was strong even then, growing up in a large, sometimes troubled family. But perhaps her biggest challenge came years later when she was in an auto accident that left her and her two sons injured, including a life-changing tr...
March 30, 2016
Wednesday’s Woman: Blessed Chiara Badano
Note: To observe the Jubilee Year of Mercy (which runs through November 20), for several weeks I am featuring women who exemplify one of the corporal or spiritual works of mercy. Today: Comfort the sorrowful.
The Basics:Born October 29, 1971, in Italy; died October 7, 1990, in Italy; beatified September 25, 2010, by Benedict XVI; feast day, October 29; daughter.
The Story:Chiara was just sixteen when she first felt the pain in her shoulder. The pain turned out to be bone cancer. When the seri...
March 29, 2016
“Rabbouni”
Note: On Tuesdays and some Sundays, you can find me atYour Daily Tripod, owned by my friend TonyD. A longer version of the post below appears there.
“Rabboni,” by Gutzon Borglum, Rock Creek Cemetery, Washington, DC. (own work)
It is one of the most soul-stirring moments in film, the point in 1962’s The Miracle Worker when the young Helen Keller, played by Patty Duke, blind and deaf since infancy, understands that the finger manipulations that have been pounded into her hand by Anne Sullivan,...
March 28, 2016
Returning Catholics FAQs: Jesus and Away Catholics
On Mondays, I answer questions frequently asked by those considering a return to the Catholic Church. How do I know this stuff? I was away for more than 30 years myself, and am the co-author of When They Come Home: Ways to Welcome Returning Catholics , a book for pastors and parish leaders interested in this ministry.
How can you be so sure God cares whether I come back to Church?
Because Jesus told us so. Consider some of the stories from the Gospels:
The story of the prodigal son, in which t...March 23, 2016
Wednesday’s Woman: St. Germaine Cousin
Note: To observe the Jubilee Year of Mercy (which runs through November 20), for several weeks I am featuring women who exemplify one of the corporal or spiritual works of mercy. Today: Forgive offenses willingly.
The Basics:Born January 1, 1579, in France; died 1601 in France; canonized June 29, 1867, by Pius IX; feast day, June 15. Daughter; shepherdess.
The Story:Germaine’s mother died in childbirth or shortly thereafter, leaving behind a child with a variety of physical problems. Germaine...
March 22, 2016
Being a Light to All Nations
Note: On Tuesdays and some Sundays, you can find me atYour Daily Tripod, owned by my friend TonyD. A longer version of the post below appears there.
A women’s retreat, in another state. During some down time, near the end of the weekend, several of us started talking about our government jobs and the difficulty we sometimes found in bringing Christ into the workplace beyond trying to serve as models in the way we conduct ourselves, in attempting to love our neighbors as ourselves.
One woman f...
March 21, 2016
Returning Catholics FAQs: Why Go to Mass?
On Mondays, I answer questions frequently asked by those considering a return to the Catholic Church. How do I know this stuff? I was away for more than 30 years myself, and am the co-author of When They Come Home: Ways to Welcome Returning Catholics , a book for pastors and parish leaders interested in this ministry.
So I’m going to go to Church this week, since it’s Easter and all. Tell me why I should come back again the week after that.
Well, you’re not alone, which is a sad thing. Studies...
March 16, 2016
Wednesday’s Woman: Blessed Lucia Brocadelli
Note: To observe the Jubilee Year of Mercy (which runs through November 20), for several weeks I am featuring women who exemplify one of the corporal or spiritual works of mercy. Today: Bear wrongs patiently.
The Basics:Born December 13, 1476, in Italy; died November 15, 1544, in Italy; beatified March 1, 1710, by Clement XI; feast day, November 16. Woman religious and mystic.
The Story:She was a spiritual rock star of her time. Lucy, who had had visions starting when she was five years old,...
March 15, 2016
“What Is Pleasing to Him”
Note: On Tuesdays and some Sundays, you can find me atYour Daily Tripod, owned by my friend TonyD. A longer version of the post below appears there.
“Because I always do what is pleasing to him.” (John 8:29)
I think about a recent day, and am all but ashamed to call myself a Christian.
It started before dawn with grumbling and complaining. A couple of good hours followed, then more complaining, seasoned with some sniping. A bit of gossiping came next, and then some whining. Some service and j...
