Tag: catholicism

Our Favorite Catholic Picture Books

Published on by Mary CooneyLeave a comment

This year, for our Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Atrium, I wanted to create a little library of Catholic picture books. So I reached out to some authors and publishers and invited them to donate picture books to our Extra-Special Atrium (for children with Down Syndrome). I was touched by the generous responses as boxes of books promptly showed up at our door.

Reading a beautifully written and illustrated picture book with your children is one of the most memorable ways to pass on the faith. So with Christmas quickly approaching, I’d like to share with you our favorite Catholic picture books: books my kids and the children in our atrium have really enjoyed!

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Church Closings: The Real Tragedy

Published on by Mary CooneyLeave a comment

Here’s a post by my husband:

The cacophony of blaring sirens, honking horns, and loud profanities is the deafening backdrop as you make your way through the sea of intoxication and into your destined oasis.  The Holy of Holies stands before you.  You genuflect and the cloud of sin in the air that you waded through drops at your feet. You now stand before God.  After that brief moment of peace, you feel a strange state of euphoria and desolation as you realize you are surrounded by your friends posing in stain glass windows amidst a dilapidated building in desperate need of repair if only to plug the dripping holes in the vaulted ceiling.  You wonder how long before her doors are padlocked like her friends’ down the street.

It’s a sight only too familiar for those stepping into an inner-city church in the Northeast. The Northeast has seen almost a 19% decline in the number of churches since 1965, and this past September, the diocese of Pittsburgh announced that they may reduce the number of Churches from 188 to 48. (The final decision is expected this month). The reasons cited for these closings are a shortage of priests, lack of attendance, and “money problems.”

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