Do you ever feel invisible?

If you do, come on over to "Mommy Monsters." I posted something there just for you today. I hope it blesses you as much as it did me. (Thanks to my sister Kathy for sending it to me.)

God Across Cultures

Today at Catholic Exchange there was a great deal of heated rhetoric about a Dutch bishop who suggested that (within the context of Muslim/Christian dialogue) Christians use the word "Allah" when referring to God.

I majored in International Studies and Communications, and so this kind of thing fascinates me. Words are powerful, and one of the more challenging aspects of cross-cultural communications is the process of defining terms. We do this all the time when we "translate" Catholic truths in terms that are more accessible to Protestant ears.

In my latest post in "Streams of Mercy," I take a closer look at what the Church teaches about the commonalities of the monotheistic religions, and attempt to explain why (assuming his reasoning was anything like mine) the bishop's suggestion could have merit. I'd really like to hear your thoughts on this -- one way or the other.

Prayer for Minneapolis

Please join with me in praying for the families devastated by the bridge collapse in Minneapolis this afternoon. I've posted a prayer here.

"Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal." Thomas Merton

Wish List Alert: Best Catholic Politicians (and their wives)

For the next year, we are going to be hearing a great deal about the relative merits and flaws of various political candidates. But what about the "keepers" -- those who are out there truly doing the best they can to promote the common good?

Please contact me if you have one you'd like to nominate ... possibly for an upcoming article. Tell me who, and why you think this person is an exceptional public servant.

Thanks to Judy McClosky at CatholicMilitary.org for the patriotic image.

Blessings--

Heidi