Monthly Archives: December 2021

Jesus, Human on His Mother’s Side: the Incarnation

We’re celebrating the birth of Jesus this weekend. Saturday night’s Gospel reading starts with “…a decree went out from Caesar Augustus….” About halfway along, we hear that Joseph finally found a place to stay in Bethlehem: but not exactly five-star … Continue reading

Posted in Being Catholic, Discursive Detours | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

A Poem and a Picture: Pip’s Christmas

I’m working on a “Christmas” post that should be ready by tomorrow morning. But in case it’s not, here’s something seasonal and slightly silly. Pip’s Christmas ‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the shop Nothing was stirring, you … Continue reading

Posted in Creativity, Poems, Series | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Big Planet, Wide Orbit, Unsolved Mystery: b Centauri(AB)b

Scientists in Sweden, taking part in 2019’s BEAST program that used SPHERE on the VLT discovered an ‘it might be an exoplanet.’ In 2021, they got confirmation. They’d spotted an exoplanet. And SPHERE on the VLT1 has an picture of … Continue reading

Posted in Exoplanets and Aliens, Science News, Series | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

The Immaculate Conception and a Legacy of Valor

(From Thomas Cole, via Museum of Fine Arts, Boston & Wikimedia Commons, used w/o permission.) (“Expulsion from the Garden of Eden,” Thomas Cole. (1828)) We celebrated the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary this Wednesday. It’s … Continue reading

Posted in Discursive Detours | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Advent 2021: Another Year of Our Long Watch

It’s that time of year. Daily reminders of how many shopping days remain before Christmas fill some with dread, others with relief. Folks enjoy, endure or try to ignore another season of “Jingle Bells,” “Santa Baby” and “Frosty the Snowman.” … Continue reading

Posted in Being Catholic | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments