Killing Our Child Was Not an Option

February 20, 2023 By Lois Kerschen

In a previous blog, I described Perinatal Hospice, which is the process that helps parents to make a loving plan for the death of a preborn child with a fatal condition. https://www.patheos.com/blogs/musingsfromthepew/2021/09/blogs-musingsfromthepew-p272/ I also wrote a blog about the lack of accurate information and medical advice given to parents whose preborn child has serious medical issues or a fatal diagnosis. https://www.patheos.com/blogs/musingsfromthepew/2021/11/incompatible-with-life-prenatal-diagnoses-and-options/ After those posts, I read an article by a woman I know who has been through the wrenching experience... Read more

Are Journalists Failing People of Faith?

September 28, 2022 By Lois Kerschen

Have you felt ignored by the media as a person of faith? I know the answer to that one: a bitter laugh and a “Duh, yeah!” A new study, released on September 20, by the Faith and Media Initiative confirms that there is a big gap between the religious/spiritual coverage people want and what is provided by the various forms of media. Some of my friends say they have stopped watching the news. I’ve always thought that choice was an... Read more

A Consistent Life Book

September 16, 2022 By Lois Kerschen

If you want to understand the theory behind the Consistent Life Ethic (CLE) as well as how to practice it, Aimee Murphy’s book, Rehumanize: A Vision to Secure Human Rights for All, is a vital resource. In a previous blog, I discussed the fact that the Consistent Life Ethic is part of Catholic teaching. Consequently, Catholics, in particular, should be interested in Murphy’s book. https://www.patheos.com/blogs/musingsfromthepew/2021/09/consistent-life-is-catholic/ In a relatively thin volume, Murphy manages to explain CLE with clarity and simplicity. It’s... Read more

Backyard Mary: Comfort and Inspiration

August 18, 2022 By Lois Kerschen

We often hear the expression “comfort food,” which refers to the kind of food that makes you feel comforted, as if all is right with the world. It’s familiar and a favorite. Would you believe that having a religious statue can give you much the same feeling? In a previous blog, I recommended having Catholic items in your home because doing so “will reinforce your faith and provide comfort. They are needed reminders of what you believe and who you... Read more

Free Will and Choices

August 12, 2022 By Lois Kerschen

Free will was granted to every human because The Creator didn’t desire automatons but a people who would choose to love God freely—or not. After all, you can’t force someone to love you. Love must be freely given, or it is not love at all. Free will means that humans have the power to make their own choices between good and evil. However, that does not mean that choosing sin is okay just because you have the right to choose... Read more

The Truth about Prenatal Care

August 8, 2022 By Lois Kerschen

Considering the massive amount of misinformation purposely spread by pro-abortion propagandists since the overturn of Roe, I would like to review a recent, must-read interview that discusses the most debated hard-case issues. The subject of the interview by author and professor Charles Camosy was Dr. John Bruchalski, a pro-life OB/GYN. What is unique about Bruchalski is not only that he is a Catholic expert in high-risk pregnancies, but also that he used to perform abortions. https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/life-affirming-care-and-the-hardest?r=na2ey&utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email Bruchalski said that he... Read more

Catholics Versus Pornography

August 2, 2022 By Lois Kerschen

The world is still struggling with the COVID pandemic, and we have a worldwide slaughter of unborn children continuing. Beyond that, we have another epidemic: pornography. This social cancer is destroying the health of families and relationships. Most people are unaware of the severity of the pornography problem. Porn is treated as if it is just a harmless, rite-of-passage anecdote that gets a wink and a laugh. However, porn is very pervasive in, and damaging to, our society. The Astounding... Read more

The Reluctant Church Pianist

July 28, 2022 By Lois Kerschen

God truly works in mysterious ways. One of God’s sneakier methods is to select someone for a job who seems quite unfit, then make that square peg nestle into the round hole until it miraculously seems to belong there. At my parish, we desperately needed someone to provide the music for the 8:30 (and only) English Mass. Our Eucharistic Minister, on learning that I once played piano, urged (commanded?) me to play at chuch. While I have a piano at... Read more

Asking for Help from a Mother Who Knows

July 24, 2022 By Lois Kerschen

This week’s guest blog was written by Megan Naumovski, @boscoworld.blog. For many years in July, I would post a question on Facebook that let my community know that I would be doing my annual novena to St Anne, Mother of the Virgin Mary and Grandmother of Jesus. St. Anne’s feast day is July 26. Traditionally, many people have entrusted their hopes for future spouses, and any other “match-making” needs, to this scriptural matriarch. So, I decided St. Anne could certainly... Read more

You Have One Job: Save Your Soul

July 18, 2022 By Lois Kerschen

There is a popular expression: “You had only one job!” According to an online dictionary, it is a phrase “used to express one’s frustration that someone or something has failed at the main or sole task they were responsible for, especially when that task seems very easy or fundamental.” Saving one’s soul is the main job in life. It is not easy, but it is fundamental and the prime directive above everything else. Yes, God gave each of us unique... Read more