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Author Archive

Can You Spare Some Change? by Anne Bender

By Anne Bender • Mar 13th, 2010 • Category: Anne Bender, Columnists

It was a warm, sunny day.  All the business people and college students out walking in the noon sunshine were casting off their coats and enjoying one of the first nice days of early spring. 



Bridge to Forgiveness by Anne Bender

By Anne Bender • Feb 27th, 2010 • Category: Anne Bender, Columnists

“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar.



Shattered – A Story of Pentecost by Anne Bender

By Anne Bender • Feb 13th, 2010 • Category: Anne Bender, Columnists

“Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, receive the Holy Spirit.” John 20:19-23



Prayer of Veronica by Anne Bender

By Anne Bender • Jan 23rd, 2010 • Category: Anne Bender, Columnists

My beautiful, precious Jesus, you are hurting so much. Your whole body is crying out for love and comfort. Let me love your pain away. Let me kiss your hands pierced by nails.



The Seventh Station – Jesus Falls the Second Time by Anne Bender

By Anne Bender • Jan 9th, 2010 • Category: Anne Bender, Columnists

“My most gentle Jesus, how many times You have forgiven me; and how many times I have fallen again and begun again to offend You!



Pierced by the Sword of Motherhood by Anne Bender

By Anne Bender • Dec 26th, 2009 • Category: Anne Bender, Columnists

“And a sword will pierce even your own soul.” Luke 2:35



A Change of Heart by Anne Bender

By Anne Bender • Dec 12th, 2009 • Category: Anne Bender, Columnists

“A man with two sons told the older boy, ‘Son, go out and work on the farm today.’ ‘I won’t,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.



Advent: The Season for…fighting? by Anne Bender

By Anne Bender • Nov 28th, 2009 • Category: Anne Bender, Columnists

Every year it’s the same story when Advent comes around…Advent, which means, “come”.  The ideals that our family holds up, the things we most want to come into our lives are peace, harmony and joy.



Cortlands, Gingersnaps and Dad by Anne Bender

By Anne Bender • Nov 14th, 2009 • Category: Anne Bender, Columnists

I just returned from the grocery store where I was delighted to find the autumnal treat of crisp, sweet and juicy Cortland apples. To me, Cortland apples are not just a healthy treat, they are a memory of love.



Litany of Saints by Anne Bender

By Anne Bender • Oct 31st, 2009 • Category: Anne Bender, Columnists

My friend Judy and I go way back, 23 years to be exact.  Our lives are so busy that we rarely get to see each other anymore.  Judy is much better than I am at maintaining contact.



The Cross of Marriage by Anne Bender

By Anne Bender • Oct 17th, 2009 • Category: Anne Bender, Columnists

“I love to think of the cross as Jesus’ marriage bed where he laid himself down, body, soul, mind and heart, thus giving himself completely to his spouse, which is all of us, reborn in baptism. 



Stand Back and Let God Work by Anne Bender

By Anne Bender • Oct 3rd, 2009 • Category: Anne Bender, Columnists

When things seem really bleak, and I feel full of worry and stress over little things, God always seems to find a way to pull me out of myself



Torn to Shreds by Anne Bender

By Anne Bender • Sep 20th, 2009 • Category: Anne Bender, Columnists

When my son Justin was preparing to make the Sacrament of First Reconciliation, he was quite nervous as most children are the first time they confess their sins



Kenotic Love by Anne Bender

By Anne Bender • Aug 23rd, 2009 • Category: Anne Bender, Columnists

“Though he was in the form of God, Jesus did not deem equality with God something to be grasped at…rather, he emptied himself and took the form of a slave.”



Praying with the Laundry by Anne Bender

By Anne Bender • Aug 8th, 2009 • Category: Anne Bender, Columnists

I know what I want on my tombstone…At last, her laundry’s done.  -Kathleen Norris     The Cloister Walk



Annunciation

By Anne Bender • Jul 19th, 2009 • Category: Anne Bender, Columnists

Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God”…Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.



Alabaster Jars

By Anne Bender • Jul 5th, 2009 • Category: Anne Bender, Columnists

“Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to eat with him.  So he went to the Pharisee’s home and took his place at the table.



My Favorite Date

By Anne Bender • Jun 21st, 2009 • Category: Anne Bender, Columnists

My son, John often asks Paul and I questions about our childhood such as “What was your all-time favorite band?” and “What was your favorite TV show?” and “What was your favorite toy?”



Living Among the Thorns

By Anne Bender • Jun 7th, 2009 • Category: Anne Bender, Columnists

A robin built her nest on the sun-porch window ledge, right behind the rose bush.  We can easily watch her from our front window.