Here is one of my favorite family stories, one that always brings a smile to my face and a warm feeling in my heart for my mother. S: Around 1995, when both my parents were still alive, my sisters, my brother and I, each took a day when we would drop in on them and…… Continue reading Sugar
The Paschal Mystery & Easter Joy
I did not fully understand the term “Paschal Mystery” until I read “A Holy Longing” by Ronald Rolheiser. In Chapter 7 “A Spirituality of the Paschal Mystery” Rolheiser writes that “No spirituality can pretend to be mature without grappling with the timeless, haunting questions of suffering and death.” I recite “Christ has died, Christ has…… Continue reading The Paschal Mystery & Easter Joy
The Sorrowful Mysteries: a Lenten Meditation
For many years whenever I picked up my rosary to pray, I conveniently ignored the Sorrowful Mysteries. As a progressive mature Christian, I felt that using ghastly images of the torture and death of Jesus did nothing to enhance my spirituality; in fact they only made me feel sad and guilty. But I now realize…… Continue reading The Sorrowful Mysteries: a Lenten Meditation
January 1977
Many of us have heard stories from our parents and grandparents that start out ‘When I was a kid…’ and go on to tell how much different everything was way back when. Not only did a loaf of bread cost 10 cents and milk come in glass bottles left at your front door, but butter…… Continue reading January 1977
The Catholic Dilemma: Church Teachings on Procreation
I recently read Excerpts From the Synod’s Final Report published online Oct. 24, 2015 in CRUX, All things Catholic. I was very disappointed to read that there are no breakthroughs or even glimmers of light, regarding the issues that most affect the lives of American Catholics. Nothing on the horizon concerning: priests being allowed to…… Continue reading The Catholic Dilemma: Church Teachings on Procreation
Snowy Snowy Night
The one School Christmas program I’ll never forget occurred in 1961, when I was in the second grade and my sister, Rita, was in first. We attended Saint Bernard parochial school in Dayton, Kentucky along with our two older sisters and two older brothers. I remember walking to school with my siblings on that cold…… Continue reading Snowy Snowy Night
Are Refugees Welcome?
When it comes to the Syrian Refugees, why do so many Americans who think of the U.S. as a Christian nation, want us to act totally counter to what Jesus taught? Do they not remember that Jesus and his family were political refugees themselves for at least a year, probably longer? The Holy Family fled…… Continue reading Are Refugees Welcome?
Movie Theater Drama
Whenever the Lukens family – my family of origin – gets together, there is always a bout of storytelling. The following is a story that my sister Rita loves to tell on herself. She really gets into it, complete with a re-enactment, using props and audience members. It’s more like watching an episode of Seinfeld…… Continue reading Movie Theater Drama
Tropical Sun in February: Watkins & Hoppers go to Hawaii
Our trip to Hawaii in February 2014 was fantastic, but it started off as a comedy of errors. You can’t make this sh….t up! And like all crazy things in life, you don’t laugh at the time, but you say “We’ll laugh about this later.” So here’s my attempt to share the laugh. NOTE: Time…… Continue reading Tropical Sun in February: Watkins & Hoppers go to Hawaii
War Room: Movie Review
I finally saw the movie War Room and I feel the need to write my thoughts on the experience. War Room, a drama centered around the power of prayer, was written and directed by the Kendrick Brothers, the same team who gave us Courageous in 2011 and Fireproof in 2008. Now I love a happy…… Continue reading War Room: Movie Review
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