Purim may become the first officially recognized American Jewish holiday. This year it is observed the evening of March 7. Purim is thought of as a sign of spring. Purim joins Mardi gras and St. Patrick’s Day as a celebration of great fun. Just as everyone feels Irish on St. Patrick’s Day, Purim is a [...]
The name “Halloween” is really a shortened form of “All Hallows Even” meaning the evening before the “All Hallows” day celebration. Today we talk about “Christmas Eve” as the evening before Christmas. All Hallows Day was a celebration to remember Christians who died and went to heaven. In the Middle Ages (around 1400), poor people [...]
As Americans remember the 150th anniversary of its deadliest war, some historians say they are still fighting over some of the same issues that caused the Civil War. There are four similar issues: The disappearance of the political center. Like today, Americans in 1860 were split into two sides. Both sides refused to compromise and [...]
The Middle East and North Africa are going through a period of violent change. This unrest affects every country around the world that depends on the Middle Eastern countries. Europe and China depend on Libya for oil. China depends on Sudan for much of its oil. Every major Western country depends on Saudi Arabia, Iran [...]
This article was written by Reverend James Martin, a Catholic Jesuit priest. Jesuits are known for their support of education and every day philosophy. Another title for this article could be “12 things that, if I had done them, would have made my life a lot easier.” Maybe a few will help someone you know [...]
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