By Sister Ann Shields "Yet even now,” says the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping and with mourning; and rend your hearts, not your garments. Return to the Lord, your God for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love…” Lent is a time [...]
By Michelle DiFranco During my college years, I would, from time to time, work off-campus at a diner or coffeehouse to tackle class projects. On one occasion, I ended up in the quaint little Polish town of Hamtramck, which is surrounded by the city of Detroit. I found it to be [...]
By Michelle DiFranco photo credit: Shane Folkertsma I remember one day during lunch duty at the kids’ school, I saw a plate of dark chocolate and mint brownies sitting on the countertop in the kitchen. They looked so good that my impulse was to lift the clear lid and sneak one while no [...]
photo credit: Aaron Joseph Reverend Doctor David Grafton begins a lecture about burial practices in the modern era with two anecdotes, both designed to convey similar points: times are changing. In one anecdote, a funeral director laments the waning religiosity of funeral services, noting that many families opt for the quickest and cheapest [...]
DUCK RAGU GNOCCHI Gnocchi: 1 Lb. Floury Potatoes 1 Lg. Egg Salt + Pepper 1 Lb. Plain Flour A Drizzle of Olive Oil Duck Ragu: 2 Tbs. Olive Oil 1 Onion, finely chopped 1 Carrot 1 Celery Stick 4 Garlic Cloves 1 Red Chili 1 Red Pepper 5 Oz. Tomato Puree 16 Fl Oz. Red [...]
Please read the story here. photo credit: Photo Courtesy of Saint Thomas More Chapel & Center at Yale
By Michelle DiFranco For several Advents now, I have felt that I should observe the tradition of using an Advent wreath outside of church and in my own home. I keep meaning to do it. It keeps not happening. There is some psychological barrier that has me dragging my feet when it comes to putting [...]
By Father Joe Krupp Dear Fr. Joe: I heard that Christmas is simply a pagan feast that Christians took and made about Jesus. Is that true? Does that mean Jesus wasn’t born on Christmas Day? If he wasn’t, what are we celebrating? It’s a great time for these questions – with all the information out [...]
HECHO EN MÉXICO Celebrate the Feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe with this delicious Mexican chocolate cake There are three Mexican imports that I love: the cuisine, Our Lady of Guadalupe and chocolate. And December is that time of year for the Mexican people when all three are featured [...]
These little cookies resemble a horseshoe covered in snow, to remind us of the legend of Martin the soldier riding through the snow and helping a poor beggar. Almond Horseshoe Cookies 2 sticks unsalted butter 2½ cups unbleached flour 1½ cups brown sugar ½ teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 1 egg, beaten 1 [...]
