Catholic Exchange

Passing Healthcare By

• Archives
• Tuesday, March 16th, 2010
• Sylvia Dorham

The only other protester we saw was dressed in bright yellow boxer shorts and a blue, pointed magician cap.
“That’s right!   That’s right!” he responded to our ‘Please Don’t Pass the Healthcare Bill’ sign.  “I think they’re spitting on us!”… Read More

Defend Us!

• Archives
• Friday, October 30th, 2009
• Sylvia Dorham

The first time I saw his car, it took several moments to read through all the bumper stickers.  They were all pro-life and upbeat.  Some in English, some in Spanish, all of them extolling the virtue of bringing life into… Read More

The Blessing of Mediocrity

• Archives
• Thursday, September 24th, 2009
• Sylvia Dorham

Thank God for the mediocre priests. 
Praise Him for the lukewarm and wishy-washy Church leaders.
Bless Him for the days of half-hearted adherence to Church teaching and the post-conciliar years of the infallible self.
And I mean that from the… Read More

Promises, Promises

• Archives
• Wednesday, August 5th, 2009
• Sylvia Dorham

I got the phone call as we were sitting down to dinner.

It had to be a matter of life and death, because I can’t remember my Dad’s sister ever calling me on the phone.

“He’s in the hospital, dying,… Read More

Make Haste to Help Me

• Archives
• Wednesday, May 27th, 2009
• Sylvia Dorham

It’s a typical daily Mass, and I’m participating from behind the glass doors where I’ve taken refuge with my loud toddler.  Belly bulging with new baby, it’s a struggle to kneel on the tile floor, and I am somewhat resentful.… Read More

Disdain or Mercy?

• Archives
• Saturday, April 25th, 2009
• Sylvia Dorham

My cousin died last week.

It’s not like we were close — we hadn’t seen each other since we were kids, and there is no reconciliation between his “lifestyle” and mine.

Richard and his sister were adopted by my relatives… Read More

Keys, Self-Centeredness, and Stations

• Archives
• Saturday, April 4th, 2009
• Sylvia Dorham

Lent is winding down, but it’s still cold, and early Monday mornings are stiff with the desire to stay in bed.

I left my keys in my husband’s car last night, but didn’t realize it until all the children were… Read More

Mama Always Said

• Archives
• Wednesday, December 31st, 2008
• Sylvia Dorham

I like to muse about the family gatherings which will take place when I have passed into eternity.  I think about my grown children gathering over food, discussing politics and the weather, dandling my grand- and great-grandchildren on their knees. … Read More

Gratitude at Christmastime

• Media & Culture
• Friday, December 26th, 2008
• Sylvia Dorham

A Thanks-gathering update
On the tenth day of of Christmas, my true love gave to me – the chance to say thank you in DC!
In November, I related my family’s experience on the White House lawn where we gathered… Read More

Annie Oakley of the Van

• Archives
• Friday, December 5th, 2008
• Sylvia Dorham

Ours is no longer a twelve-passenger van.  Not since the dog chewed through one of the seat belts.  And now that the kids are getting bigger, we can’t fill all three seat belts in one row.  There has to be… Read More