Indeed, the parts of this country whom you agree with are all that are necessary, and those parts of our country that you consider less honorable are a bunch of rapists and thugs, and those you judge less presentable parts are a bunch of fat stupid pigs. The billionaires lining their pockets don’t need unity…. [Read More]
Courage
For Catholics of well- formed conscience, the drama unfolding at the Texas Capitol has been disconcerting at best. Gov. Abbot has ordered an emergency session to draft and ratify Senate Bill SB-4. The bill aims to penalize counties and cities whose law enforcement officials will not turn over their residents to federal immigration officers. Keeping… [Read More]
See No Evil: Reflections on Laudato Si’ Part II
This is my second reflection on Pope Francis’ new Encyclical Laudato Si addressed to every person living on this planet and added to the official Catholic doctrine. I hope my reflection is beneficial to you, but I (and Austin CNM) encourage you to read the document yourself here. Last year my family found a great… [Read More]
Confessions of a Technocrat: Reflections on Laudato Si, Part I
This is a reflection on Pope Francis’ new Encyclical Laudato Si addressed to every person living on this planet and added to the official Catholic doctrine. I hope my reflection is beneficial to you, but I (and the Austin CNM) encourage you to read the document yourself here. I was seduced by technology in high… [Read More]
Global Justice – St Ignatius Martyr Parish Social Ministry Council Panel Series
The education and sophistication that I think I have goes away when I meet the human dignity of the other who brings the wisdom of life … -Barbara Budde Austin Catholic New Media in partnership with Saint Ignatius Parish Social Ministry Council is proud to present this new monthly series of panel discussions on… [Read More]
Racial Justice – St Ignatius Martyr Parish Social Ministry Council Panel Series
Austin Catholic New Media in partnership with Saint Ignatius Parish Social Ministry Council is proud to present this new monthly series of panel discussions on the social ministries of the church. This panel was recorded and February and discusses how Catholics can work to combat racism and build a more just world. On this… [Read More]
Caring for the Sick – St Ignatius Martyr Parish Social Ministry Council Panel Series
Austin Catholic New Media in partnership with Saint Ignatius Parish Social Ministry Council is proud to present this new monthly series of panel discussions on the social ministries of the church. This panel which was recorded in January discusses how the church is working to take care for the health of people in our community…. [Read More]
The Acts of Men: A Reflection on Joshua Oppenheimer’s The Act of Killing
During WWII the Japanese killed between 3 million and 10 million people, mostly civilians. More recently the ISIS body count is growing as they continue their bloody campaign of beheading and terror. May God have mercy on all sinners. How can men act so inhumane? For most of us, these acts are unthinkable. Our minds… [Read More]
Caring For Pregnant Women – St Ignatius Martyr Parish Social Ministry Council Panel Series
Austin Catholic New Media in partnership with Saint Ignatius Parish Social Ministry Council is proud to present this new monthly series of panel discussions on the social ministries of the church. This panel which was recorded in January discusses how the church is working to take care of women experiencing a crisis pregnancy. On this… [Read More]
Don’t Hinder The Kingdom; Another Reflection on the Immigrant Crisis
And they were bringing even their babies to Him so that He would touch them, but when the disciples saw it, they began rebuking them. But Jesus called for them, saying, ‘Permit the children to come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.’ -Luke 18:… [Read More]
Immigration – St Ignatius Martyr Parish Social Ministry Council Panel Series
This year the ACNM in partnership with Saint Ignatius Parish Social Ministry Council is excited to be hosting a monthly pot-luck speaker series featuring the many social ministries in Austin Texas In our first panel which took place September 30th we discussed how Catholics are responding to the needs of immigrants in our nation and how you can be… [Read More]
September Announcements
This week we have replaced Trenton’s usual blog post with a series of important announcements. Lets see if anyone notices. My post might have been about spiritual seasons. For everything turn turn turn there is a season turn turn. A time when the Holy Spirit shifts your energy to focus on a new way to… [Read More]
The Church and Mental Illness
A little over three weeks have passed since the tragic death of Robin Williams. Although most of us did not know Mr. Williams personally, many of us have felt moved by his work. As an actor and comedian, he made us laugh, made us feel; sometimes he made us think. In passing, his decision to… [Read More]
Who do you think you are?!?
Luke 9:57 As they were going along the road, someone said to Him [Jesus], ‘I will follow You wherever You go.’ . . . But he said, ‘Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father.’ 60 But Jesus said to him, ‘Allow the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you,… [Read More]
When you see… A Reflection on the Immigrant Crisis
According to the local folklore, the drama at Sacred Heart in McAllen all started with what a few saw. A little over a month ago, a few sharp-eyed Catholics noticed a gathering of dirty young women at the bus station. Maybe it was a passing glance. Maybe it was out of the corner of the… [Read More]
Seeds of Peace and Justice
John 15: 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. During a recent monologue on the changing situation in Iraq, comedian Jon Stewart lampooned conservative pundits for their use of the phrase “seeds of democracy” to justify the 2003 invasion. I know not everyone will… [Read More]
Being There: What you learn when a loved one has Alzheimer’s
Exodus 20:12 “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the Lord your God gives you.” I was blessed to spend Mother’s Day with my father and two generations of incredible Henrichson mothers. I can’t say if the trip has in fact prolonged my life, but I… [Read More]
Your Origin Story: A Reflection on Easter Discipline
After much anticipation and preparation the season of rebirth is upon us. Christ has risen, Alleluia! So, now what? Everyone makes grand plans for what disciplines they will fallow during Lent and how they might double these efforts during the Triduum, but what do we do when all the fasting stops? Easter can be a… [Read More]
Listening for the Changing of the Season
If you have followed my blog consistently (Hi Mom) then you may have guessed by now that I am a little obsessed with seasons. For anyone who hasn’t guessed, I am a little obsessed with seasons. There is a reason for that, I figured out some time ago that often seasons are the key to… [Read More]
Where are the peacemakers?
Mathew 9: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” In America today 77% of people self identify as followers of Christ. How many could we identify as peacemakers? There are over 2 billion Christians in the world today. How many of them are actively devoted to restoring peace? I think… [Read More]
What Do We Desire? A reflection on Lent and Social Justice
Every day 6,000 children under the age of 5 die from pneumonia, diarrhea, and malaria. About 1 million children in America are aborted every year. Experts estimate that one in eight people in the world today struggle with chronic malnutrition. Why is our world in such bad shape? What if I told you this is… [Read More]
Booze! A Lenten Reflection
When I started to write this, the sun was still setting on Ash Wednesday. The Lenten season had officially begun. I didn’t know until the sun rose that morning what it was God really wanted me to write about. While my more experienced cohorts in the ACNM were suggesting that people would naturally be looking… [Read More]
Where the Church is Going
This week my thoughts and prayers have once again returned to a small Indian village over 9000 miles away. Today in Mamallapuram, India, a new friend (Tim) has joined some old friends of mine (the Cooks) and their mission, Hands on Houses. Hands on Houses is devoted to building sustainable housing for impoverished widows. Experts… [Read More]
Attention Artists: The Meaning Behind Stained Glass
Everything I have posted has ended with a challenge to my readers. I always hope my work does something more than get me a few likes on Facebook or distract a few people from whatever they don’t want to be doing for 2000 words or less. I always hope that something I write will spark… [Read More]
Attention Singles! Its time to dance!
Ecclesiastes 3 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time… [Read More]
Why the church can’t win a culture war.
According to Wikipedia the term “Culture War” was derived from the German word Kulturkampf (cultural struggle).The Kulturkampf was literally a set of 19th century Prussian laws designed specifically to undermine the Catholic church. Among other things these laws temporarily expelled the Jesuit, Franciscan and Dominican brothers from Prussia. Americans started using the term in… [Read More]
Popenomics 201
Pope Francis’ Apolstolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium has received a lot of harsh criticism from pundits both outside and inside the church. In truth that criticism maybe a blessing. The Pope has opened up a dialogue that we have often avoided, to our detriment, for many years. Now at least the church is getting its differences… [Read More]
Popenomics 101
So how about that new Pope eh? Who? Pope Fancis? Oh I think you mean The ambassador of atheists? The tolerator of homosexuals? Champion of the Internet? Man of the year? The bishop of Rome, and vicar of Christ? The supreme pontiff of the universal Church? Whats not to love? I heard some guy on the radio say… [Read More]
Advent: A Journey Through Winter
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a psychological condition that effects about half a million people every winter peaking in December, January and February. Symptoms include Depression, Anxiety, Lethargy, Overeating and wishing everyone would shut up and leave you alone[1]. It has been over a decade since I’ve felt that way. Today I can calmly, happily,… [Read More]
What Does Today Mean?
Today America celebrates one of the most sacred of American holidays Thanksgiving. When you put it in historical context Thanksgiving is also one of the most ironic of American holidays. Our countries four fathers, a group of displaced religious fanatics where rescued from near starvation by a group of unknown paganists. In the years to… [Read More]
Family Emergency; …plus a message from Bishop Joe S. Vásquez
Have you ever noticed how time changes the meaning of thing. Once, when I was a student at A&M (longer ago than I care to admit) I was evicted from apartment with very little notice. The sudden uncertainty of where I would be living basically sent me into a hysterical panic. The first thing panicked… [Read More]
A Servent In India II: 1 Billion People 1500 Words
As I have described in my Last Post I was recently blessed to be able to volunteer with Hands on Houses in Tamil Nadu India. “So how was India?” That seems to be what everyone has been asking me lately. Let me first confess most of my answers to date haven’t been very inspired. I… [Read More]
A Servent In India Part I; Here Am I!
Isaiah 6 5 Then I said, “Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips,And I live among a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.” 6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal in his hand, which… [Read More]
Now think about what you’ve done!
Feast up my friends, today July 31st is the feast day of Saint Ignatius of Loyola. Thank you again mother church for giving us another reason to party. So, in honer of Saint Ignatius I suggest we take a moment to reflect on every parent who has ever screamed “Time out! … You sit there… [Read More]
Striving Towards the Promised Land; Pro-Life Advocacy After Special Session 1
Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and they went into the Desert of Shur. For three days they traveled in the desert without finding water. When they came to Marah, they could not drink its water because it was bitter. (That is why the place is called Marah.) Exodus 15: 22-23 When… [Read More]
Imaginary Lines; Real Problems
Fun fact #1: the distance between the house where I live today and the Capitol of Texas is Approximately 13 miles. Now that I think about it that is about as close to the Texas political process as I care to reside. On the other hand the distance between the hospital where I was born… [Read More]
Building You: Faith and Habit
I’m going to have to start this blog with a small confession. When it comes to dating, my approach has been notoriously ineffective. Don’t worry, this blog isn’t about dating. But for a single man in his thirties, I have decided it is time to be more intentional about changing my approach. I’ve taken a… [Read More]
The Continued Misadventures of a Catholic Politcal Advocate
Today I got another lesson in political advocacy. You might recall- Wanted Concerned Catholic Voters Mr Henrichson Went to the Capitol About a month ago I was blessed with the opportunity to represent my fellow Catholics in front of the staff of Eddie Rodriguez. You may also recall that, that first meeting with Rep. Rodriguez’s… [Read More]
I didn’t have time to write my post this week…
I couldn’t finish my blog this week. Can I have an extension? Looking at my current schedule I think I could have a blog ready for you by next, ….um, do you have any plans for Mardi Gras? I’m sorry but I’ve been really busy. Lately, It feels like whenever I finish my project I’m… [Read More]
Mr. Henrichson Went to the Capitol
Today I got my first lesson in political advocacy. You may recall from my post a month ago that I had been blessed with the opportunity to represent my fellow Catholics in front of the representative of Texas 51st district Eddie Rodriguez during Catholic Advocacy Day (April, 9 2013). The rally itself was quite encouraging…. [Read More]