Tag: robert

On
Kevin Wondrash

Revisiting the argument from desire

One of the classical demonstrations of God’s existence is the so-called argument from desire.

It can be stated in a very succinct manner as follows. Every innate or natural desire corresponds to some objective state of affairs that fulfills it.

We all have an innate or natural desire for ultimate fulfillment, ultimate joy, which nothing in this world can possibly satisfy. Therefore there must exist objectively a supernatural condition that grounds perfect fulfillment and happiness, which people generally refer to as “God.”

Read More
On
Kevin Wondrash

Reduction to a ‘singleton’ baby

In my capacity as theologian, teacher, and culture commentator, I’ve been reading articles on ethical matters for years and have grown relatively inured to the expression of even the most outrageous points of view.

But a few years ago, I came across a piece that was so shocking that I was compelled, as I read it, to put the magazine down several times and just shake my head in disbelief.

‘Reducing’ a pregnancy

It was an article in the New York Times Sunday Magazine called “The Two Minus One Pregnancy,” dealing with the phenomenon of “reducing” (love the Orwellian language) a pregnancy from two children to one.

Read More
On
Kevin Wondrash

Robert B. Imhoff dies

Robert B. Imhoff
Robert B. Imhoff

PACKWAUKEE/WESTPORT — Robert B. Imhoff, age 89, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family the morning of November 18, 2014. He was born in Highland, Wis on May 13, 1925, to Ben and Lena (Munz) Imhoff.

On July 21, 1948 he married Edith Urban in Madison. He was the father of Marilyn Brown, Mary Imhoff, Audrey Imhoff, Janet Imhoff, David (Lisa) Imhoff, Annette (Jim) Vanover, and Terry and Linda Caulkins. Grandfather to Vito (Caitlin) DiPiazza, Catherine DiPiazza (Jeff Boatman), Russell DiPiazza (Megan McKay), Suzanna Imhoff, Alesha Imhoff, Jessica Yittri, and Carey Nelson-Yittri; Great-grandfather to Vito DiPiazza, Dominic DiPiazza, Isaac Imhoff, and Emily Nelson.

Read More
On
Fr. Robert Barron

John Henry Newman at the synod

Controversies surrounding the recent Extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the Family have put me in mind of Blessed John Henry Newman, the greatest Catholic churchman of the 19th century.

Newman wrote eloquently on many topics, but the arguments around the synod compel us to look at his work regarding the evolution of doctrine.

The development of doctrine

When he was at mid-career and in the process of converting from Anglicanism to Roman Catholicism, Newman penned a masterpiece entitled On the Development of Christian Doctrine.

 

Read More
On
Fr. Robert Barron

Have patience for ‘sausage-making’ synod

The midterm report on the deliberations of the Synod on the Family has appeared, and there is a fair amount of hysteria all around.

John Thavis, a veteran Vatican reporter who should know better, has declared this statement “an earthquake, the big one that hit after months of smaller tremors.”

Certain commentators on the right have been wringing their hands and bewailing a deep betrayal of the Church’s teaching. One even opined that this report is the “silliest document ever issued by the Catholic Church,” and some have said that the interim document flaunts the teaching of St. John Paul II.

Read More
On
Kevin Wondrash

Pontifical Requiem Mass for deceased bishops and priests on November 3

MADISON — In the “Church Year,” November is a significant month for considering the Communion of the Saints and the holy souls in Purgatory.

At the start of the month, the Church celebrates All Saints Day, giving thanks to God for all those we believe have achieved their heavenly goal, and then All Souls Day, during which we pray for the souls of all those who have departed but await their entry into heaven. They are moving days, which call to mind not only loved ones and friends who have died, but also the end of our own lives.

Read More
On
Bishop Robert C. Morlino

God’s unfailing mercy and our response

Dear Friends,

Last week I was blessed to be in Rome for the ordination for two of our men (Scott Emerson and Gabriel López-Betanzos) to the Order of Deacon in St. Peter’s Basilica. It was a wonderful event, and I was so pleased to experience it, with so many faithful from our parishes and some brother priests.

I know you’ll all join me in prayer for our two new deacons and the three we saw ordained this spring (Deacons Chahm Gahng, Christopher Gernetzke, and Tafadzwa Kushamba), as they make their way to priestly ordination this coming June 26!

Read More