In my last two pieces, I wrote about Catholic Anti-Nazi martyrs who were canonized as saints later.  Today I am writing about a German Lutheran theologian, the well-known and beloved Dietrich Bonhoeffer.  In this piece and in future pieces during Pride Month, I will make parallels to modern-day fascism in the United States, Russia, and Poland. My primary source today is Encyclopedia Britannica and my husband’s personal experiences in Germany. Since the German Lutheran Church was hijacked by Nazism, and... Read more

This piece today is about another Catholic Anti-Nazi Martyr, Father Titus Bradsma.  I am using Encyclopedia Brittanica, writings from The Titus Bradsma Institute, and a video from The Irish Province of Carmelites after my introduction in the next two paragraphs.  I will use variations of these throughout the next month of writings. Over Pride Month in June, I will dedicate my writings to remembering the Holocaust because we are experiencing a repeat and resurfacing of right-winged fascist history right now... Read more

Today I am dedicating this piece on St. Maksymilian (Maximillian) Kolbe to a living saint (in my own book) named Anthony Comella, a friend and Knight of Columbus in Brunswik, Ohio. Anthony helped turn my souring opinion of the Knights of Columbus into a much more positive picture because of his love of God and neighbor, charity, empathy, good works, and non-judgmental attitude. Over Pride Month in June, I will dedicate my writings to remembering the Holocaust because we are... Read more

The threat of rising right-winged fascism is more prevalent than ever right now here in the USA, Eastern Poland, a good portion of Russia, and other countries.  It’s not only a threat to democracy, it’s a global threat.  Since history does tend to repeat itself, we must review history so the world does not repeat the same mistakes again, particularly those of Nazi Germany.  Reviewing the history of the Holocaust is a great place to start.  In one of my... Read more

Since I served in conservative Christian ministry for so long, I was gravely naive to what was actually happening in the world. For most of my career prior to secular employment starting during COVID, I thought the traditional nuclear family was more prevalent than it actually is. Boy howdy; was I wrong. Once COVID hit, once I started serving in the secular Educational Therapy world, once I started serving in both ecumenical and Catholic LGBTQIA+ and disability inclusion ministry, reality... Read more

On Saturday, I completed my last lay ministry class in Catholic Social Doctrine (Social Justice) which is rooted in 2000 Bible verses, particularly the Gospel. Due to family duties, I had to move my studies from The Boston School of Theology to a local theology school in San Antonio called the Mexican American Catholic College which I have loved. On Saturday, a nun (name not mentioned) from Ireland, who has dedicated her life to prison justice and prison ministry, spoke... Read more

Lately, I have been asking myself a thought-provoking question which I am sure many of you are asking yourselves.  At what point does ignorance become chosen or willful, and at what point does this ignorance endanger the lives and well-being of others?  For anyone with eyes and ears, it is impossible to not see the injustices all around us in our modern society.  When the Department of Homeland Security has recently issued more than one Domestic Terrorist Threat for minority... Read more

According to the Parliamentary Assembly and a number of other entities who study religion and politics, a secular democratic socialist form of government which combines both capitalism and social programming most benefits the Common Good of a nation.  Studies show that the best form of government allows individuals to make informed decisions about their individual lives and families. People making decisions about their own families and individual private lives are the freedoms we all equally deserve to make.  Our constitution... Read more

Yes, you read correctly.  I am an official Bernie Sanders fan. Even though I try not to put too much faith in any one person, I am officially a Bernie Sanders fan. Nothing, absolutely nothing, has compelled my progressive political and theological shifts to the left more than the Religious/Catholic Right who tried to abuse and coerce others to support a conman like Donald Trump. This is especially true with women in conservative faith circles, and in my case, former... Read more

I’ve spoken with so many Christians who have been experiencing journeys of deconstruction, including pastors and theologians. I am no exception. The day Trump mocked the disabled reporter in 2016 was the day that spontaneous deconstruction started for me personally, both spiritually and politically.  This experience has varied for millions of people. For many of us, we’ve had to untangle and discard harmfully-applied theology and soul-crushing politics.  I will admit, the pain of watching parts of the American Church participate... Read more