Since the Unitarians are a creedless faith, The Rev. Peter C. Boullata took up the charge of hoping that they haven’t “institutionalized narcissism. He talks about the challenge to do faith formation in their denomination. I was both excited and troubled that they have some of the same problems that we Catholics do at times …
Category Archive: Interfaith
Dec
29
When This Little Light of Mine Didn’t Shine…
So I love the blog Peacebang, who is everyone’s favorite Unitarian. She’s creative and hysterically funny. She must also know that I have a penchant for recalling the times in church when things just go horribly wrong–especially on major holidays. Like at our 10AM Christmas Day Mass this year when someone projectile vomited in the …
Dec
28
Denying Holocaust Heroes
A touching and sad story of combating the world’s worst hatred and of a failure to understand all that was risked in doing so. Eva Weisel writes in an op-ed of a man, Khaled Abdul Wahab, an Arab Muslim, who protected and saved her and her family from the Holocaust at great personal risk in …
Dec
21
Happy H-a-n-u-k-k-a-h
a h/t to Deacon Greg and a Happy Hanukkah to all of our Jewish brothers and sisters and especially to my family–Laura and Dan Eder and their children, Ronnie (who is now one of GW’s best students), Becky, Ben, Molly and especially to Katie (because I clearly play favorites).
Dec
17
Away In a Manger, The Flying Spaghetti Monster
In Leesburg, VA, Christmas displays are causing discord. Members of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster are scheduled to put up their contribution this weekend. It’s a banner portraying a Nativity-style scene, but Jesus is nowhere to be found. Instead, the Virgin Mary cradles a stalk-eyed noodle-and-meatball creature, and the manger is surrounded by …
Nov
24
Thanksgivings Past and Present
I’m finishing up some work today and Ripley the dog came to visit my office at St. Joe’s. She nuzzled up and slobbered on my computer (she just drank water) and then gave me a nice sloppy kiss as well. Then she took up residence and fell sound asleep on my office floor. Ripley is …
Oct
07
On Atonement
Yom Kippur begins tonight for our Jewish brothers and sisters, but perhaps those of us who are not Jews need this day even more. The idea of atonement, making reparations or amendments for our wrongs is at the heart of spiritual experience. St. Ignatius reminds us of this during the Examen that we ask the …
Sep
28
Happy New Year: Rosh Hashanah
A joyous New Year to our Jewish friends–but most especially to my family members: Dan and Laura Eder and their children: Ronnie, Becky, Ben, Molly and (most especially, because I play favorites) Katie. Dipping Apples in honey as you read. Happy New Year. And a hat tip to Fr. Jack Ledwon for pointing me to …
Aug
30
A Mentor’s Passing
When it comes to teachers, Gladys Stein was a true gem. She was my high school English teacher and because of her I guess I became a writer and a speaker–but most importantly, Mrs. Stein helped me find a voice in the first place. I was an awkward high school sophomore when I first encountered …
Aug
30
Muslims: Still Our Fellow Americans
This video was emailed to me today that is attempting to show that Muslims are ordinary citizens. They are mothers and fathers, doctors and lawyers, students and teachers. For the few fundamentalists that have committed atrocities like 9-11 (Muslim fundamentalists) and Oklahoma City (Christian Fundamentalists) there are literally millions of those who practice their religion …
About the Blogger
Mike Hayes is an author, commentator, Campus Minister and Spiritual Director. He founded the award winning BustedHalo.com in 2001 and wrote the book Googling God with Paulist Press in 2007. Mike is currently a Campus Minister at The University at Buffalo where he serves on the staff of St Joseph University Church. He is available for speaking engagements, retreats and personal spiritual direction.
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