The Basics: March 23, 1919, in Ukraine; died July 18, 1944, in Ukraine; beatified June 27, 2001, by John Paul II; feast day, July 18. Woman religious and martyr. The Story: Tarsykia’s story is one with little personal drama–until the last day. She entered the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate congregation shortly after her nineteenth birthday. World War… Continue reading Wednesday’s Woman: Blessed Tarsykia Matskiv
Month: July 2015
Of Abysmal Swamps, Within and Without
Note: On Tuesdays and some Sundays, you can find me at Your Daily Tripod, owned by my friend TonyD. A longer version of the post below appears there. I had lunch recently with a spiritual mentor, a Catholic whose writing greatly inspires me. I shared with her my concern that my writing and speaking about the… Continue reading Of Abysmal Swamps, Within and Without
Returning Catholics FAQs: Pre-Cana Classes
On Mondays, I answer questions frequently asked by those considering a return to the Catholic Church. How do I know this stuff? I was away for more than 30 years myself, and am the co-author of When They Come Home: Ways to Welcome Returning Catholics, a book for pastors and parish leaders interested in this… Continue reading Returning Catholics FAQs: Pre-Cana Classes
Wednesday’s Woman: St. Withburga
The Basics: Born before 653 in England; died about 743 in England; canonized pre-congregation; feast day, July 8. Woman religious. The Story: Withburga was the daughter of a king, Anna or Onna, in one of those families who spawned many saints (including her better-known sister, Ethelreda, who founded an abbey at Ely). After her father died, Withburga… Continue reading Wednesday’s Woman: St. Withburga