By Kevin Burke, LSW The Apostle Simon Peter and the communist revolutionary Vladimir Lenin were men separated by thousands of years of history. Yet both experienced a life-changing traumatic event in their lives. How they responded to their grief and emotional pain would change the world in very different ways. Simon Bar Jonah As the Apostles gathered for what would be their final Passover meal together, Jesus turned to Peter, and with great love and urgency said: “Simon, Simon, behold,…

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Kevin Burke, LSW Just hours before Peter’s denial, the Apostles gathered for what would be their final Passover meal together. Peter felt strong, secure and confident gathered with Jesus and the other apostles.  With all sincerity, he offered to give his life for Jesus. …Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to both prison and to death!”  Luke 22:31 But just a few short hours later… all hell was breaking loose. Peter must have been…

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By Kevin Burke, LSW Joan Didion died at the age of 87 in her Manhattan home on December 23, 2021. Author Jonathon Van Maren describes Didion as one of the great American pioneers of creative non-fiction, along with Tom Wolfe, Hunter S. Thompson, and Truman Capote. Van Maren shares in American Conservative of Didion’s writing about the cultural revolution that swept across California like a wildfire in the late ‘60s.   Unlike many of her contemporaries, Didion had a keen eye that gazed beyond the…

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By Kevin Burke, LSW and Theresa Burke, Ph.D. As this year comes to a close, you may be facing the first Holiday season after the death of a beloved friend or family member.   Their absence is especially raw, and painful during the Christmas season. Many reading this are facing daily challenges to manage pain, physical decline, and the accompanying emotional stress, anxiety and grief/depression that accompany, sudden, as well as chronic illness. Some families are facing job loss, and with…

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Kevin Burke, LSW In the midst of a brutal civil war, Abraham Lincoln called our nation to acknowledge the true source of all her blessings, and to heal the wounds of the Unite States of America.   Sarah Josepha Hale, a 74-year-old magazine editor, wrote a letter to President Lincoln on September 28, 1863, urging him to have the “day of our annual Thanksgiving made a National and fixed Union Festival.” A letter of October 1863 from Lincoln and his…

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By Kevin Burke, LSW November is a month when we remember our beloved dead, yet also meditate on our own mortality.  In the light of eternity, it is close at hand. Those moving into retirement and facing transition to their final years on this earth, are more acutely aware of this reality.   As we await the exciting anticipation of Advent, and Joys of Christmas, November is the perfect time to give attention to some long neglected areas of life that…

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By Kevin Burke, LSW November 2nd we commemorate All Souls Day, a holy day set aside to honor, and pray for the souls of our beloved dead. Those who have lost a child to abortion, may wonder, “What happens to the soul of an unbaptized baby after death?” In 2007 a document was issued by the Church’s International Theological Commission clarifying that the concept of limbo reflected an unduly restrictive view of salvation: “The conclusion of this study is that…

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By Kevin Burke, LSW October 29th was a day of shock, discouragement, and intense anger among many prolife Catholics across the U.S.  President Joe Biden came away from his private meeting with Pope Francis Friday saying the pontiff told him he was a “good Catholic” and should keep receiving Communion.  Biden said the topic of abortion was not part of their exchange; “We just talked about the fact he was happy that I was a good Catholic and I should…

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Kevin Burke, LSW In late June 2018 thousands gathered across the U.S. to protest the Trump administration’s border policy. Rallies in Portland turned violent and were soon shut down by police. Here we are in 2021.  Tucker Carlson opened his show on October 25th focusing on how the policies and messaging of the Biden Regime have led to chaos at our southern border.  Tucker Carlson: “It’s a disaster, and it’s hard to believe that not so long ago, this country actually enforced…

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By Kevin Burke, LSW In our new book Rivers of Blood/Oceans of Mercy we share some practical pastoral advice to those ministering to women and men after their participation in abortion. One area examined is the repeat confession of abortion. Women and men can go to confession many times, yet still not feel forgiven.  Sometimes they will go to multiple priests, confessing the same sin over and over again, feeling tortured by their inability to fully accept the forgiveness the…

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