Earl Simmons, better known as the rapper DMX, died last week. I didn’t know much about him or his raps; the only music of his that was even slightly familiar to me was “Party Up (Up in Here)." But the more I read about him on Twitter and heard about him on The Breakfast Club and other news reports, the more I wanted to learn about him. People called him a poet and a preacher. In an MTV interview, DMX said he thought of his lyrics as poetry. He appeared on Def Poetry with a … [Read more...]
Is prayer your source of solace?
Lately I have been thinking about prayers and the Higher Power. It’s a recurring subject for me. Have you ever been fortunate enough to have someone sincerely tell you, “I’ll keep you in my prayers” or “I’ll be praying for you.”? Has anyone ever suggested you should pray about a problem? Or, have you noticed associates on FB asking for prayers for an ailing relative? Sometimes the request is prefaced with an affirmation like “I believe in the power of prayer.” Do … [Read more...]
Slice of Solace: Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish
Though it was not on the Open House Chicago tour, Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary Parish was near the restaurant we went to in River North so we stopped in. There was a place to pray to St. Peregrine, of the Order of the Servants of Mary, who is the Patron Saint of Cancer Patients (something I had not known). I think these statues are lovely and sweet. … [Read more...]