In the news...

This article about the problem of "confirmed bachelors" really bothers me in part because, although it claims to be a criticism directed at men, the writing is based on a number of stereotypes and assumptions about women. Even though men are supposedly the ones in trouble here, the author still finds ways to berate women and girls for somehow not doing their part. The only worthwhile part of the article, speaks some truth:

"I can’t tell you how many great Catholic women who will make exceptional wives and mothers remain single because of men on a quest to find the wrong girl. They’re in pursuit of a so-called “hot” woman. The real women are beautiful in their own unique ways, regardless of age or weight, if men would allow their eyes and heart to see."

Barnard College alumna Rev. Maria LaSala discusses how faith and feminism intersect.

Sister Rita Thomas received the YWCA Women of Distinction Award for her dedication to medical missionary work.

Simcha Fisher writes about her identity as a Catholic feminist.

AFS explores how we might consider Mary the Virgin Mother an example of an early Jewish feminist.

Bob Roper's attempt to justify the boys club that is the Catholic Church.  I see many of the commenters disagree...

A century of dedicated Maryknoll missionaries' work at home and abroad.

According to Cathleen Falsani, "Jesus is still surrounded by too many men."

A new documentary about a Catholic women's hoops team.

Why and how people of faith are pro-choice, pro-women's health.

In the news...

Habits of Change is a new collection of oral histories from American nuns.  Carole Garibali Rogers, Oxford University Press.

Patheos' "Habit of Witness" series features reflections from Catholic women (and men).

Julie Davis' summer reading list of popular Catholic authors.

What do young religious women want? 

Signs you might be a "progressive Christian" -- sounds OK to me.

Young Catholic women and HIV/AIDS -- why we must take charge for the health and livelihoods ourselves and our families.

Lisa Mladinich's advice for embracing your Catholic identity. ("Go team!")

In the news...

Busted Halo discusses some of the spiritual issues behind Lady Gaga's new single, "Judas."  I recently watched The Last Temptation of Christ in Professor Shevzov's REL course on Jesus, and I found the music video especially interesting given Last Temptation's imaginative take on the Gospel story.  See also: God in Gaga.

Catholic Herald UK delineates some of the Catholic Church's contributions to the wider world.  Scroll down to #9 to learn more about the many Catholic women scientists, scholars, leaders, and saints.

HuffPo's John Whitehead explains Jesus' radical and transformative presence in history:

"Too often today radicalism is equated with terrorism, extremism and other violent acts of resistance. Yet true radicalism, the kind embodied by such revolutionary figures as Jesus Christ, Martin Luther King Jr. and Gandhi, actually involves speaking truth to power through peaceful, nonviolent means. Separated by time and distance, Christ, King and Gandhi were viewed as dangerous by their respective governments because they challenged the oppressive status quo of their day."

 The Quixote Center voices support for American nuns.

 Australian Bishop William M. Morris was removed from his position earlier this month due to a pastoral letter he wrote in support of ordaining women and married men in the Church.

Patrick T. Reardon asks, "Who is a saint?" and "Why the Vatican should ordain women."

New book on strong women, the influence of Catholic backgrounds, and improving the public sphere.

Catholic Daughters approaches their 100-year anniversary of humanitarian work and community outreach.

Have you heard of Magnificat, a Catholic Women's ministry service?  I haven't, but I plan to look into their teachings a bit more.  Stay tuned for a follow-up post.

In her new book, Colleen McDannell writes, "Catholic women are the volunteer backbone of the church and they also are the labor force of the church.  More women are getting degrees in liturgy and theology and becoming active leaders in the church."

2011 marks the centennial of Maryknoll!  See also, Catholic Herald.

In the news...

Catholic Herald reports on the prospects of a Guild of Catholic Bloggers.

The other side of the debate about women deacons.  See also, California Catholic Daily.

Nancy Hardesty, evangelical Christian feminist, passed away last month.

CatholicCulture.org reviews three new books about Catholic college kids, nuns, doctors and angels.

Religion Dispatches' Sikivu Hutchinson on "challenging religion-based sexism" in the classroom and Sunday school lessons.

New York's Archbishop Dolan recently described same-sex marriage as a sign of the government's "Orwellian social engineering."  Oh dear.

Also, can we take a moment to be amused at this ad for the Catholic dating site?  They put these up around Easter time, no doubt using some "in" joke for Catholics.

On an (unintentionally) related note, priests' react to the recent Guttmacher Institute study about Catholic women and contraception usage.

Excerpt from my JVC-Northwest essay...

1 Corinthians 13 has a way of showing up when I least expect to see it.  Sometimes it feels a bit like a stalker and I resist it; but I also know it will always be ingrained in me and my relationship with God.  Prior to August 2008, I'd thought of the passage as a cliché reading reserved for weddings -- something too melodramatic for daily life, certainly.  Flash forward to August 2008: I found myself standing at a microphone at my grandmother’s funeral in a little chapel in Arlington, Virginia. 

In the news...

Maryknoll Sister Paulita Hoffmann recalls her daring escape from China in 1951.

A new PBS documentary aired last night about a group of Polish Catholic women who rescued Jewish children from the Warsaw ghetto during WWII, Irena Sendler: In the Names of Their Mothers.  Watch the preview on the PBS site.



More responses to the Guttmacher Institute's report of religious women's contraceptive use:
Catholic.net
Jon O'Brien, President of Catholics for Choice

Colleen Carrol Campbell writes that Blessed Pope John Paul II was a "staunch defender of the dignity of women."  More perspectives on JPII's legacy, on WaPo.


*Image via SCEcclesia.com

Quote of the Day

"Ask yourselves, young people, about the love of Christ.  Acknowledge His voice resounding in the temple of your heart.  Return His bright and penetrating glance which opens the paths of your life to the horizons of the Church’s mission.  It is a taxing mission, today more than ever, to teach humans the truth about themselves, about their end, their destiny, and to show faithful souls the unspeakable riches of the love of Christ.  Do not be afraid of the radicalness of His demands, because Jesus, who loved us first, is prepared to give Himself to you, as well as asking of you.  If He asks much of you, it is because He knows you can give much."
- Pope John Paul II