Pope Francis Endorses My Book, “Strange Gods”? – UPDATE
Well, no, not officially, but I had a little fun on Twitter this weekend, when several friends mentioned Pope Francis’ latest tweet at @Pontifex: It just slips in so very well with the whole topic of...
View Article“He listened to the girl on GPS. Then to me, for 200 miles…”
I totally forgot that while taping this interview with Tony Rossi, I had completely revealed myself to be the harridan I try to hide from you, on a daily basis. It’s here at about 5:10 into the chat....
View ArticleTalking “Strange Gods” on Catholic Weekend
When Maria Johnson invited me to come and chat with the gang at SPQN’s Catholic Weekend, I said “sure” without really knowing what to expect. I didn’t anticipate a party atmosphere at Google hangouts,...
View ArticleGolly, this word, “Idol” is coming up a lot! – UPDATED
I wonder if the Holy Spirit is trying to tell us something.. Pope Francis has been talking about idols lately, and now we see the word creep into a secular headline: Book: Obama surrounds self with...
View ArticleCatholicism and Nationalism Do Not Really Mix – UPDATED
The neighborhood where I grew up was a block of “mutts”, and my own family boasted Irish-Italian-English-Scots-German muttage, but if you asked any of us “what are you?” the answer, our answer would...
View ArticleIRS, DOJ, Benghazi: How we Got Here & Just Who was Easily Led? UPDATED
The other day, pondering the slickness of the Obama presidential campaigns and the lousy job Americans have done in their interview/hiring process in recent elections, I joked: If America were an...
View ArticlePope Francis and I are in a Vulcan Mind Meld!
We’ve joked that our new Pontiff and I seem to be enjoying an unusual bit of synchonicity on the issue of idolatry. In his wonderful talks and homilies he touches frequently on the issue, enough so...
View ArticleStrange Gods Now on Kindle and my Sally Field Moment
Color me very grateful for the interest in Strange Gods and I have felt a little helpless when emails and social media messages asked when the book would be out on Kindle. The answer, finally, as of...
View ArticleIn your raving idolatry I find a bit of peace…
Last night, I logged off fairly early and missed a big donnybrook on Facebook that had to do with people angry at me because of this piece from yesterday. Lots of namecalling and screaming in my...
View ArticleWhat is the Sin? It is in the Self, the Idol
Reflecting on Lumen Fidei over at First Things, Nathaniel Peters writes: . . .an unexpected word does appear in Lumen Fidei: idolatry. As is characteristic of his evangelical boldness, Francis notes...
View ArticleRemarks to Catholic Marketers, Shop Owners
A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to meet and talk with members of the Catholic Marketing Network at their annual conference and trade show. The show is always delightful — walking amidst a...
View ArticleAre we making an idol of the pope who warns against them? UPDATED
I can’t think of modern pope who has so explicitly, and so frequently, warned us against the creation of idols; he mentioned idolatry early-and-often in his first encyclical, Lumen Fidei, and has...
View ArticlePope Francis and Strange Gods: “A Meme on the Rise”? – UPDATED
Yes, we’ve been joking for some time about how Pope Francis and I appear to be in some kind of mind-meld on the subject of idols — he talks about them almost every single week, and brought them up in...
View Article“I. Am Not. A Hoo-er. I. Am Not. A Hoo-er…”
Pope Francis said he wanted us to make a mess. Golden Voiced Dan Sealana has built a whole radio show out of that idea and taken The Mess to the airwaves in San Antonio, Texas. He’s smart, he’s fun,...
View Article“Strange Gods” heads into 3rd Printing, with Study Guide!
I know, I know, I haven’t done my “comprehensive” list of good reads for Christmas, or my annual Christmas Gift Ideas post — they’re coming, I promise — but first let me share this because I’m having a...
View ArticleGarlic? Honey, I’m like buttah. Like BUTTAH!
You know…all fat and salty! Anyhow, back in September I did an interview with Jonathan Merritt at the Religion News Service, talking about idols and the pope and whatnot, and today the piece has...
View ArticleAnn Coulter’s Strange God Renders Her Blind
Others tell me it is “schtick” meant to “make us think” but if that’s what Ann Coulter is serving up with her “charity begins at home” number, she’s doing it badly. Leading people into productive...
View ArticleCatholicism and Nationalism Do Not Really Mix – UPDATED
The neighborhood where I grew up was a block of “mutts”, and my own family boasted Irish-Italian-English-Scots-German muttage, but if you asked any of us “what are you?” the answer, our answer would...
View ArticleStrange Gods & Small Groups: A Match Made in…Heaven?
I’m looking forward to using this book with my students this year. We belong to a very small English speaking group in our parish in Göteborg, Sweden. Two of my students have made their Confirmation...
View ArticleStrange Gods at the Seminary!
If you are on Long Island on September 13, consider swinging by the beautiful Seminary of the Immaculate Conception — which gave us Father Michael Duffy — and saying “hi!” I will be there discussing...
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