Author Archives: Laura's Blog

Movie Review: “Our Friend”

I recently watched this biographical drama based on the true-life story of Matt and Nicole Teague and their best friend Dane Faucheux. Nicole is diagnosed with ovarian cancer. The treatments do not work. As Nicole’s cancer worsens, Matt struggles to care for her and their kids. Their long term friend, Dane, offers to move in.Continue reading “Movie Review: “Our Friend””

Prudence in the Pursuit of Knowledge

Watch my You Tube Video: Annotated Bibliography Enderton, H.B. “Elements of Set Theory.” London: Elsevier Science (1977). Describes  Gödel’s incompleteness theorems which have philosophical significance with respect to the limits of knowledge. Gallagher, K.T. “The Philosophy of Knowledge.” New York: Fordham University Press (1986). An overview of the history of epistemology, which will help meContinue reading “Prudence in the Pursuit of Knowledge”

Celibacy: Something to Consider

Over the past few years I have had quite a few conversations with Catholic parents who do not want their children to consider the priesthood or religious life. The primary reason usually has to do with mandatory lifelong celibacy. Their feelings about this topic are in line with secular American culture. Celibacy is seen asContinue reading “Celibacy: Something to Consider”

Catholic Parents and the Cover Up Culture

Reports about the sex abuse crisis in the Roman Catholic Church reveal a clerical culture conducive to both sex abuse as well as its cover up. For example, a 2018 Pennsylvania grand jury report covering six Catholic dioceses says that hundreds of priests abused at least 1000 children over the course of thirty years. BishopsContinue reading “Catholic Parents and the Cover Up Culture”

Never Enough: An American Way of Life

As we landed in Seattle after three years of living in Tokyo, I clung to the small, wooden Franciscan Toa cross a friend had given me. The cross was a symbol of what I wanted. I wanted more out of life than simply wanting more all the time. The toa cross represented the possibility ofContinue reading “Never Enough: An American Way of Life”

How To Dialogue With Your Neighbor

“Let’s discuss abortion,” is a conversation that will likely lead no where in the US today. Perhaps twenty years ago this could lead to meaningful dialogue. Basic observation leads to the conclusion that the culture is too divided today for conversations like this to bear good fruit. However, we still need to talk about culture.Continue reading “How To Dialogue With Your Neighbor”

Lack of Affirmation: A Societal Epidemic

We hear all the time about people who need affirmation. If you live in an urban area, you may even be approached by people who describe a difficult home life where they did not receive affirmation. Where I live just outside of DC, these people often present themselves as transgender. Too often these issues getContinue reading “Lack of Affirmation: A Societal Epidemic”

Friendship Is Like A Tree

There is this idea that friendship involves “hitting it off” with someone. A friend is someone you get along with. A friend is someone who understands you and a person with whom you have rapport. This view of friendship only accounts for the easy good times. With this view, friendship is valuable if you generallyContinue reading “Friendship Is Like A Tree”

St Thomas, Choice, and Pregnancy

The “pro-choice” movement argues that women deserve the dignity of choosing to continue or to end their pregnancies. The government, family, and society in general should stay out of the decision. They argue that pregnancy should be voluntary. St Thomas may disagree with the conclusions. However he would agree with importance of voluntariness. According toContinue reading “St Thomas, Choice, and Pregnancy”