Melanie Rigney's Blog, page 99
October 15, 2014
Wednesday’s Woman: St. Teresa of Avila
The Basics:Born March 28, 1515, in Spain; died October 4, 1582, in Spain; canonized March 12, 1622, by Pope Gregory XV; feast day, October 15. Woman religious, author, Doctor of the Church.
The Story:Today marks the beginning of Teresa’s fifth centenary year. What a life it was, one that confounds any stereotypical 
pigeonholing, one of mysticism and practicality and earthly struggle. She was born into a wealthy family, and in her youth was described as beautiful and flirtatious. Teresa’s wonde...
October 13, 2014
Returning Catholics FAQs: Of Heaven and Hell
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 do we know there’s really a heaven or hell? What do they look like?
We believe in heaven because Jesus promised that the Father has prepared a special place for us. We believe i...
October 10, 2014
The Trouble With Demons
Note: On Fridays, you can find me at Your Daily Tripod , owned by my friend TonyD. A longer version of the post below appears there.
Driven out any demons lately?
Maybe it’s that cookie at the coffee shop or the difficulty in staying loving when your children are driving you crazy or that person in your prayer group to whom you’d just like to say, “Get to the point already.” But it happens. We can conquer demons. We do it frequently.
The challenge is that often, there’s another, similar demon that...
October 8, 2014
Wednesday’s Woman: Blessed Maria Angela Truszkowska
The Basics:Born May 16, 1825, in Poland; diedOctober 10, 1899, in Poland; beatified April 18, 1993, by John Paul II; feast day, October 10. Woman religious.
The Story: Angela was a natural leader. The order she had founded was tireless in its work with the elderly and the poor. Yet the congregation’s thrice-elected Superior General had a problem, a big problem. Angela, who was only in her mid-forties, was losing her hearing. Other health issues would follow. The natural leader stepped down, an...
October 6, 2014
Returning Catholics FAQs: About Evangelization
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.
If I return, do I have to evangelize?
Yes, constantly. And, as is attributed to St. Francis of Assisi, when necessary, use words.
Evangelize by living a life that shows your love and...
October 3, 2014
“What Can I Answer You?”
Note: On Fridays, you can find me at Your Daily Tripod , owned by my friend TonyD. A longer version of the post below appears there.
Why do bad things happen to good people?
Job loses his wealth and his children. He suffers from physical ailments. He’s been a good person, living a faithful life. He just wants to know why.
And aren’t we the same? We or a loved one are struck down by illness. We lose someone close to us in a senseless accident. We get downsized. The house gets foreclosed upon. We ar...
October 1, 2014
Wednesday’s Woman: St. Therese of Lisieux
The Basics:Born January 2, 1873, in France; died September 30, 1897, 1885, in France; canonized May 17, 1925, by Pope Pius XI; feast day, October 1. Woman religious, author, Doctor of the Church.
The Story:Therese’s life and her “Little Way” inspire so many, perhaps because we all can relate to it. The small things–not taking
offense at an intended slight or doing good deeds that never are noticed–can be so difficult. They were hard for Therese as well, a child who craved the limelight, a diff...
On the Nightstand: October 2014
Recently, a priest suggested I pray with the Blessed Virgin Mary to help better hear God’s desires for me on a couple of decision points. He noted, more elegantly than this, that Mary pondered many things in her heart… listened to the Lord… and went about her
life instead of being paralyzed with indecision.
A new friend in San Antonio, Rose Marie, and I were sharing stories while I was there for the Catholic women’s conference, and Rose Marie was kind enough to give me a copy of this book, de...
Being Christ in Our Lives: Emily Stimpson
Emily Stimpsonis one of those gifted people who can put her strong theological knowledge into words we can all understand. Her passion for sharing the CatholicChurch’s message on valuing the feminine genius had the house rocking recently during the Catholic Women’s Conference in San Antonio.
You might know of Emily for her books such asThe Catholic Girl’s Survival Guide for the Single YearsorThese Beautiful Bones: An Everyday Theology of the Body,or perhaps for the newly publishedThe American...
September 29, 2014
Returning Catholics FAQs: Can I Be Catholic Enough?
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 I be sure I’m Catholic enough?
There’s only one way to find out. Start coming to Mass and meet some people. Start volunteering and studying and asking questions. If you don’...
