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Marge Fenelon

Makes you stop and say, “Hmmmm…”

genetic testing, blood test, genetics , faith, Catholic

Genetic testing in here, whether we like it or not, and for better or worse. The new developments, especially a recently developed test that claims it can predict what health conditions and at what age your child will die, bring with them a host of questions. One of those questions – how this can effect our faith – I’ve posed in “Faith, genetics and life decisions collide again,” appearing in the October 13 edition of Our Sunday Visitor.

I hope you’ll read my article (at the link below) and discuss it with others. This is a topic that should make us stop and say, “Hmmmm.” More than that, it’s a topic that should open us to prayerful thought and animated discussion.  (more…)

By Marge Fenelon, ago

The gaze of the crucified Jesus – Pope Francis at Assisi and a lesson for me

Jesus, Christ, crucifixion

Where did Francis’s journey to Christ begin? It began with the gaze of the crucified Jesus. With letting Jesus look at us at the very moment that he gives his life for us and draws us to himself. 

If I read only those three lines from Pope Francis’ homily for the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, I would have enough to contemplate for the next year. Or more. On the memorial of this saint who is loved world wide, the Holy Father visited Assisi, where he met with 100 or so sick and severely disabled children at the Seraphic Institute, blessing each and kissing the cheeks of many of them. (more…)

By Marge Fenelon, ago

Three striking things about Pope Francis’ interview with La Repubblica founder Eugeno Scalfari

Pope_Francis_in_March_2013 (1)

In yet another surprise move, Pope Francis granted a private – and frank – interview with professed atheist and La Repubblica founder Eugenio Scalfari. You may recall that the Pope wrote a letter to Scalfari this summer in response to several questions he’d posed in various articles run in the paper.  La Repubblica is one of Italy’s leading newspapers.

Pope Francis made the phone call and arranged the (more…)

By Marge Fenelon, ago

Taking Fido to Church

dogs, church, pets, st. francis

Just so my fellow  parishioners don’t freak out, this happened at a parish my husband and I were visiting this past weekend. And, no, I won’t tell you which one.

Shortly after we took our pew, an elegantly-dressed woman in her senior years entered the pew in front of us. At the time, I noticed that she had two purses – one of “normal” size, and one (more…)

By Marge Fenelon, ago