Latest news with #TheClaw
Irish Examiner
30-06-2025
- General
- Irish Examiner
Caitríona Redmond: Make sure you're disposing of refuse properly — you might save a few bob
There was a paper briquette maker in my house in the '80s and '90s. The peat variety was always the preference for the fire, but it was costly at times. This novelty contraption was a way of making sustainable fuel for the stove in the kitchen, using paper and cardboard that would otherwise have gone in the bin. At that time, we didn't have the individual wheelie bins, to separate out green and brown waste from the main general bin. I was recently reminded of this when I got a notice from my bin company. They are putting more cameras on the bin trucks, to detect when items aren't being sorted properly. The refuse firm will send pictures to its customers to show that their bins are being misused, and repeat offenders will have to pay a fine. This isn't the bin company's first dice with monitoring our refuse. I got a fine a few years back which cost me almost as much as the annual service charge, because one of the kids had put a plastic bag into the recycling bin. There was a photo attached to the fine and it was clearly the household bin. Setting chores for the kids is important, but nobody tells you the financial peril of asking them to put out the bins. My face was the perfect picture of the 'cringe emoji' as I reviewed the image. My debit card shivered in my hand as I paid the fine; lesson learned. THE CLAW There's a moment in the cartoon movie Toy Story where the green aliens tell Buzz Lightyear about 'The Claw'. The Claw chooses who will go and who will stay. Those little green toys look up to the sky with wonder at this gigantic claw hovering over them. On a recent college field trip, I experienced a similar feeling of awe on entering the control room at the Dublin Waste to Energy plant in Ringsend. I murmured 'The Claw' with my fellow visitors when we spotted just one of the enormous claws hovering over a mountain of rubbish that comprised just one day of refuse deliveries. The control room is located on the corner of the fifth floor of a large industrial building that occupies a patch of the landfill that Dublin City Council operated until 1978, which now forms the Poolbeg Peninsula. It sits behind the former Glass Bottle site which is the future home to thousands of new apartments and homes once construction is finished. You can see the new mini town from one of the few external windows, looking back towards Irishtown and beyond, the Aviva Stadium. Inside the plant, the piles of general refuse tower above the height of the control room ceiling as the claws lift 4 tonnes of waste at a time, shifting the morass so that arriving trucks can pour their contents into the pit, and the cycle continues. About 40% of all the general waste disposed of in Ireland ends up here for incineration. In a world that is concerned with emissions and climate change this disposal method may seem like a poor choice for our little island, but it's a clever solution that generates power and potentially heating for tens of thousands of homes. Burning the country's general waste has enabled many of her landfills to close, and our nation is relying less on shipping rubbish beyond our shores. Suspended high above the towering mounds of general refuse, most of which came from black or grey or green general-waste wheelie bins, it was fascinating to see the detritus of our society. WASTE NOT, WANT NOT When I looked a little closer though, I could see so many items that didn't need to be put into the bin. There was oodles of cardboard and paper. Something I've been trying not to dispose of. That same material could be used to make more of the paper briquettes. Or in my case, cardboard is my secret weapon in the fight against weeds, and a brilliant weed suppressant in the garden. Incredibly, there was a huge amount of building debris such as pieces of wood and also, food. Food waste should end up in the compost or brown bin, and not in general waste. It can be composted and in some instances used to generate bio-methane. That's gas that can be used for powering everything from trucks to heating homes with the right technology. For some people, the ease of disposing of everything into the general waste bin trumps separating their waste. Thanks to the new cameras being mounted on dumper trucks though, this way of throwing away what we don't need should become a thing of the past. The moral of the story? Check your bins to make sure you're disposing of your refuse correctly. You will reduce the risk of a hefty fine and the internal mortification of receiving a photo of your own rubbish. You could also save yourself some money on bin lifts and use what you wanted to dispose of elsewhere. Read More
Buzz Feed
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
27 Chewy Items To Make You A Dog Ownership Genius
A Toy Story aliens rope toy so your dog can feel like "The Claw" from the movie. And look how freaking CUTE these little guys are! Promising review: "Our pug loves this toy!! He brings it over every evening to play tug. He lost interest in his regular rope toys fairly quickly, but still loves this one after six months." —LauraPrice: $10.99 A refillable dog treat dispenser toy you can fill with homemade snacks or premade Pupsicle Pops because this will keep your doggo occupied while you sit through your Zoom meetings. Promising review: "Our Lab mix has always suffered from anxiety, fear, aggression with strangers, and breaks in routine. We ordered this product after seeing several ads on our social media. He LOVES it, and so do we! Super easy to clean and refill, long-lasting, and the treat refills don't smell bad like other dog treats! Our sweet boy recently began to lose mobility in his rear end and gets super upset when he is unable to get around independently; this gives him the comfort he needs to just relax and lie down while enjoying a treat!" —Elizabeth Price: $19.99+ (available in three sizes) A jar of Zesty Paws Aller-Immune Bites for dogs, which are packed with wild-caught Alaskan salmon and probiotics to help keep your pup's immune system in tip-top shape in between vet visits. Promising review: "My dog Charlie scratches and chews all over himself almost constantly. Since putting him on this chew daily, his symptoms have greatly reduced. He has only been using the product for a week, and every day shows improvement. I'm hoping in a few days, he'll be symptom-free. Furthermore, he thinks he's getting a daily treat and is so excited when I offer him his daily dose. I highly recommend Aller-Immune Bites!" —CharliePrice: $4.97+ (available in three flavors and six quantities) An engaging jumbler ball if your pup has seemingly endless energy (but you don't). This will surely tire him out and give you a second to just ~chill out.~ Promising review: "Toy is an entertaining, nice squeaker. Our German shepherd plays with this for hours. The toy is challenging to pick up and carry. All of which helps our high energy German shepherd burn off energy." —TracyPrice: $14.99+ (available in two sizes) An orthopedic dog bed with a removable, machine-washable cover and a wraparound bolster that your doggy will absolutely love snuggling up in. Promising review: "I bought the XL bed for my 55-pound husky mix. My dog prefers the bolster-style bed for prime cuddling sessions. The quality is top-notch. The center is extremely soft, and the structure of the bed is rigid enough to support my pup all day without feeling like plastic. Overall, this bed exceeded all my needs. He now has a bed in every room, and this one is by far his favorite." —DoYouHaveChangeForADollarPrice: $63.99+ (available in three sizes and two colors) A sliding sushi-themed puzzle for the dog who is super restless and gets bored easily. This will keep them occupied long enough for you to maybe even get some work done of your own! Promising review: "Our dog quickly figured out how to get treats out of this puzzle toy, but it is so handy because he loves it, and it calms him and occupies him whenever we leave. Love this!" —LinmarpiePrice: $16.95 A nonskid slow-feeder bowl because your puppy may be known to scarf down the food a little too fast and accidentally make themselves sick. Promising review: "Our Zoey was a fast eater. By fast, I mean her food was gone in less than a minute. As she aged, we noticed her vomiting and belching more, in part because she was eating so fast. Once we purchased this bowl, it forced her to slow down. It was perfect for our needs. She is enjoying her food, has stopped belching after eating, and we have not had any vomiting issues." —RobynPrice: $5.52+ (originally $9.99+, available in two sizes) A package of Greenies Pill Pocket treats so giving your dog their meds doesn't have to be a traumatic experience for either of you. I give these to my Chiweenie, and she loves them! A lot of reviewers compliment these pill pockets for picky dogs and cats that haven't responded as well to other brands. Promising review: "Two of my dogs require medication on a daily basis. There is no way I can manually try to force these meds. I tried another reputable brand of pill pockets, and they worked for a couple of days until my dogs realized that there were pills in them, so I decided to try Greenies Pill Pockets. First of all, the consistency of the pocket was easy to form over the pill. Then came the test of flavor. My dogs love breakfast and dinnertime now that they get the Greenie treat. They don't even blink. I love these!" —CiscoPrice: $8.96+ (available in four flavors, four quantities, and two capsule sizes) A hip health and joint-function supplement fortified with glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM if your doggy has arthritis and needs a little pain relief. Promising review: "My almost 6-year-old longhaired dachshund has had mild arthritis since she was a baby. I noticed she was having difficulty ambulating. She could no longer go upstairs with me, nor could she step up/off small curbs while walking. I knew this product worked in humans and thought I would try it with my pup. Wow! In one week, she's climbing stairs, jumping on/off curbs, and able to walk further. I give her two soft chews, and they work beautifully. Very affordable at Chewy. I will continue to keep my baby on this product." —MinniePrice: $17.83+ (originally $23.90, available in two styles and four quantities) A practically indestructible Kong chew toy you can fill with your dog's favorite treat so they can get all their energy out and enjoy a lil' snack at the same time. Promising review: "Being on the market like forever just might be the proof dog owners need to actually buy this toy. It comes in all dog sizes and has a lot of potential. For my rescue dog, it doesn't need to be stuffed with treats or peanut butter (too fattening). She loves it for the erratic bouncing action. A regular ball bores the heck out of her. Plus, she's exercising more muscle groups, trying to grab a hold of it. And the Kong is about as indestructible as they come. Buy it once and wait 'til the end of days before it wears out." —StephenPrice: $7.99+ (originally $8.99, available in six sizes) A level-two difficulty Hide N Slide puzzle perfect for the pup who has little to no experience with puzzles. This is a great way to introduce your dog to the world of puzzling! Promising review: "Love this! You put either kibble or bits of treats in the holes and slide over the cover. It gives my dog a challenge to find and eat the treat, and it takes her a bit of time to get all the holes emptied, yet it is very doable for them to figure it out. They move the slider cover with their nose, and I like the stimulation it gives them." —Nora Price: $17.94 (originally $24.99, available in two colors) A fleece pet carrier bag with mesh panels and a spring wire frame that's approved by most airlines so your companion can travel in comfort. I have one of these for my dog, and she loves cuddling in it even when we're not traveling! It also works great for transporting other small pets, like hedgehogs, chinchillas, and bearded dragons!Promising review: "Such an improvement over the large plastic carriers I used to use. Both my cats love these bags and will hang out in them and nap in them if I leave them out after a trip. I think they're just the right size for them to feel cozy and safe. The two entry points are really handy, too. I love that they fold flat for storage, too, since my apartment is pretty small. Would highly recommend!" —KatePrice: $47.99+ (originally $143.99+, available in two sizes) A flavored tooth-cleaning chew toy if your dog has stinky breath and you want to trick them into taking care of their own teeth, so you don't have to brush them yourself. Promising review: "My dog has been chewing on the Hartz dog bones that are bacon flavored for the last five years and has perfect teeth. Stopped her from chewing on my shoes when she was younger, too. Still keeps her busy at 7 years old. :) " —Glucas1211Price: $3.47+ (available in four sizes and assorted colors chosen by Chewy) A set of carpeted pet stairs because some of the shorter doggies may have trouble getting up and down off the couch or bed. Promising review: "I bought this step for one of our cats who can no longer jump up on the bed due to age, and it works like a charm. He took to it right away and is one happy kitty! These steps are well constructed and sturdy." —ShaundaPrice: $59.99 (available in two colors) A silicone food bowl mat for the furry friend who makes a huge mess anytime they eat, and you want to make cleanup a little easier. Promising review: "Both of my cats like to pick up their wet food nuggets and drop them several inches away from the bowl before picking them back up and eating them. I tried wider bowls to relieve whisker tension, but they still dragged the moist morsels away like it was freshly snagged prey. This mat is large enough that they can't drag it too far away and get my floors messy. Perfect solution. I don't put it in the dishwasher, but clean up is still super easy with a soapy paper towel, then quick rinse." —DaniPrice: $13.99+ (available in two sizes and two colors) A container of calming chicken-flavored hemp treats that are perfect for the doggy who gets panicked when traveling or during thunderstorms. Promising review: "My Great Dane calms down and remains calm to the point of falling asleep. One piece does the trick with her, but two really knock her out. She is just over 100 pounds. You get a lot of treats in one container, so don't balk at the price. Yes, sometimes thunder or the garbage truck makes her bark or wake, but she rarely even gets off the couch if she has had one or two of these. Worth every penny in my book." —MJBoyer8118Price: $32.99+ (available in three sizes and two flavors) A Zesty Paws Itch-Soother dog shampoo packed with aloe vera, oatmeal, and vitamin E to help your pooch with dry, flaky skin. Promising review: "We used to use a popular name brand for our dog's shampoo. She never had any skin issues until last winter, when she got super flaky. We switched her to this shampoo and started giving her skin vitamins. This shampoo really helps moisturize her skin without leaving a weird odor, and a little goes a long way during bath time. It was definitely a great purchase!" —mm13Price: $15.47 (also available in a two-pack) A volcano and dinosaur hide-and-seek toy your pup will have so much fun taking apart. Plus, it's also a squeaky toy, so they will have the added bonus of auditory stimulation. Promising review: "My dog loves these toys, and he was thrilled. He just kept pulling out dinosaur after dinosaur! Six of them, and all of them decently sized. This really is a great value, and the toys are very well made and adorable." —TaylorPrice: $14.99 A West Paw chew toy made of a special nontoxic Zogoflex material — that is BPA-, phthalate-, and latex-free — your dog will love chewing on, and that won't damage their teeth like some plastic chew toys might. Promising review: "I have five dogs. One is a pit mix who destroys all chew toys in the house and has broken teeth on toys that were too hard (more money spent at the vet). My others don't get their chewing needs met because other toys are either destroyed so quickly or removed to protect my busy pit, but THESE toys last months. They are not so hard to hurt my strong chewer's teeth, and all my dogs love them! My pups stay occupied for hours on end with these. I ordered five large and my home became the happiest home on the planet. Definitely worth the money. Also, both Chewy and West Paw have such EXCELLENT customer service that you can't go wrong. Thank you, Chewy!" —SharlsPrice: $12.95+ (available in three sizes) A Furminator pet hair deshedding brush to help your doggo get rid of excess hair that may be overheating them in the summertime weather. Plus, you'll be able to see your couch again since it won't be covered in hair anymore! Promising review: "I am so amazed with this brush! I have tried several brushes and the bristles always end up breaking and they never get deep down to the undercoat. However, this brush is sturdy and no broken pieces after several uses! I love that there is a fur release button to get the stubborn hairs out of the brush. My dog gets so excited when it's time to get brushed and he was like a brand-new dog after using this for the first time!" —NicolePrice: $31.85+ (originally $37.49+; available in three sizes and colors) An elevated bed so your puppy can have the perfect spot to lounge outside beside you while you're enjoying your favorite book in the sunshine. Promising review: "My dog loves her new bed and so do I. She sleeps in it all day long. It keeps her cooler than any of the other beds she has had. She sleeps on it with her blankets, no problem. No more laying on the hard floor to keep herself cool. With this bed, she stays cool and comfortable." —4dogsPrice: $16.99+ (available in three sizes and four colors) A natural paw balm because you want to protect those precious toe beans from hot summer asphalt and harsh salt in the winter. Promising review: "We live in a condominium complex that hires snow plowers to do our parking lots and sidewalks. Unfortunately, they salted everything heavily once the initial plowing was finished. Every dog we've had in the 28 years we've lived here starts out their walks so frisky and happy, and five minutes into it, they're lifting paws and stopping due to the salt, which super-cools the ice, and consequently their poor little paws. One of my friends found this product and used it every winter with her dog, and always said how effective it was. So I thought I would buy a tin and try it. Yup! It's like magic! I work a small amount on each pad and in between her toes, and we're good to go! It's a reasonably priced product, and I highly recommend trying it!" —MaryPrice: $15.99+ (originally $16.99+, available in three sizes) A package of presoaked tear stain wipes to gently clean away your pup's eye goop. These are especially great for dogs with white fur, where you can clearly see the stains. Promising review: "I'm very impressed with these pads. A dog who was staying with me for a few weeks arrived with very matted, crusty eyes. I ordered and received the eye pads, used them 2x daily, and they cleared up! She loved it!" —AngelPrice: $11 (originally $12.99) An adorable raincoat if it feels like pulling teeth to get your pup to go outside when it's raining. Plus, now you won't have to towel dry them after a walk in a storm. Promising review: "So cute, and great functionally! Kept my dog dry during our last walk through heavy rain. The hood is a bit bigger than my dog needs; it falls into her eyes sometimes, but it's an easily solved problem and works wonderfully otherwise!" —JackyPrice: $12.99+ (available in seven sizes, two colors, and with or without a personalization option) An LED light-up collar so your pup can remain visible while it's dark out for extra safety. And who doesn't love a puppy rave moment?? Promising review: "These things are so bright, they're amazing. Our dogs run loose, supervised, around our property, and you can see the dogs from hundreds of feet away. Three dogs, three different colors, it's so easy to keep track of them and know when to call them back if they get too far. We only use them when we are walking our property with the dogs, but we go out quite a few times before I recharge them." —JustinPrice: $18.99+ (originally $24.99, available in four sizes and seven colors) A variety pack of dental chews in fun shapes so your doggy can enjoy a yummy chewy experience while also getting their teeth sneakily cleaned. Promising review: "My bulldog didn't want me brushing her teeth. The vet said to try these. Now I say 'whimsey,' and my dog runs to get one! She gets one a day and loves them! And she has great teeth! I am SO happy to have found these!!!!" —ChelseaPrice: $34.77+ (originally $38.99+, available in two sizes) And finally, a big package of freeze-dried beef liver treats your pup will absolutely go gah-gah over. My dog's vet has these, and it makes her actually enjoy going to the vet. Promising review: "At first, Willow wasn't quite sure about these freeze-dried beef liver treats. The texture gave her a moment of 'paws' (pun intended). But once she took that first crunchy bite, it was game over — she's absolutely hooked! Now, these treats are her go-to favorite. She'll sit, stay, and maybe even do a backflip if it means getting one. The 14-ounce tub is the perfect size to keep her tail wagging without running out too soon. If your pup needs a high-value treat to bring out their inner superstar, these are a must-try! Willow gives them two paws up!" —KathyPrice: $4.99+ (originally $5.99+; available in five sizes and in a pack of two)
Newsweek
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
WWE Legend Goldberg Reveals Dream Scenario For His Retirement Match
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. WWE Hall of Famer Goldberg is gearing up for his final in-ring performance. While full details remain under wraps, he recently shared his original "dream" location for the match and offered insights into his current plans. Appearing on The Claw podcast with Ross and Marshall Von Erich, Goldberg discussed his connection with Wrestling Israel and his personal aspirations. "I'll do anything for my faith," Goldberg stated. "Truth be told, my dream was to have my retirement match in Israel. Quite obviously, because of the surroundings right now and over the past five years, it just hasn't been the right place to do it. I would be remiss if I didn't tell you that I was sorely disappointed that I couldn't do something in Israel, but retired doesn't mean dead." More news: WWE News: Steve Austin Reveals Real-Life Vince McMahon Confrontation He remains open to a future appearance there, adding, "I would be honored to go out there at some point, I really would. Never say never, but we've been trying to do it for the past number of years and it didn't work out. Fingers crossed, that's all you can do." While Israel was his dream, current indications and Goldberg's recent comments to MySA suggest his actual retirement match will be "in the South." Sources speaking with Fightful Select have indicated Atlanta is the city tentatively planned for this farewell bout. LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 08: Bill Goldberg speaks at the roundtable panel during HISTORY's Live Event 'Evel Live' at Omnia Nightclub at Caesars Palace on July 8, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 08: Bill Goldberg speaks at the roundtable panel during HISTORY's Live Event 'Evel Live' at Omnia Nightclub at Caesars Palace on July 8, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. This aligns with Goldberg's deep history with Georgia, having played for the University of Georgia and the Atlanta Falcons, and his WCW career being based there. His last major WWE appearance was at Bad Blood in Atlanta on October 5, 2024, where he confronted then-World Heavyweight Champion GUNTHER after verbal jabs were directed at his family, teasing a potential future clash. Adding another layer of intrigue, WWE Saturday Night's Main Event is internally slated for Saturday, July 12, 2025, in Atlanta. This date is notably the same day as AEW All In" in Texas. Although AEW's event is scheduled for the afternoon, WWE's special expected in the evening. Goldberg has been training for months and reportedly has some creative control over the rollout for his final match announcement. The match that makes the most sense would be against GUNTHER. However, WWE has yet to announce it. More WWE News: For more on WWE, head to Newsweek Sports.
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- General
- Yahoo
St. Thomas Aquinas' skull just went on tour − here's what the medieval saint himself would have said about its veneration
Once, on a road trip in Greece, I stopped with my husband and dad at a centuries-old Orthodox monastery to view its famous frescoes. We were in luck, the porter said: It was a feast day. The relics of the monastery's saintly founder were on view for public veneration. As a Catholic and a medievalist, I can never resist meeting a new saint. The relic, it turned out, was the saint's hand, though without any special ornament or reliquary, the ornate containers in which relics are often displayed. Nothing but one plain, severed hand in a glass box, its fingers partly contorted, and its discolored skin shriveled onto the bones. We gathered around the shrine, silently, to pray. Then my dad, whose piety sometimes runs up against his penchant for dramatic storytelling, leaned over and whispered, 'What if at the hotel, in the middle of the night, I hear a scratching sound, and then The Claw …' His own hand started crawling dramatically up his shirt and then flew to his throat. 'Dad!' I hissed furiously, with a horrified glance at the monks praying nearby. Relics can admittedly feel a bit morbid – and yet, so holy. What exactly is their appeal? To me, it's the physical closeness, especially with parts of a saint's own body – what the Catholic Church calls 'first class' relics, which can be as small as a chip of bone. There are also objects the saint used during life: 'second class' relics, such as the gloves worn by the Italian mystic Padre Pio. The veneration of relics of saints was already well established in the early church. But controversies go back hundreds of years. During the Protestant Reformation, for example, reformers decried the shameless use of relics to drive donations and the proliferation of faux relics. Today, the idea of intentionally dismembering and displaying human body parts can seem shocking, even repulsive. Yet venerating relics remains far from a 'relic' of the past. At the end of 2024, the skull of St. Thomas Aquinas – the great Dominican medieval thinker whose writings I study – made its first tour of the United States. The journey commemorated the 'triple anniversary' of 700 years since his canonization, 750 years since his death and 800 years since his birth. From Cincinnati to Rhode Island to Washington, D.C., thousands of Catholics turned out to pay their homage to this medieval saint. What might Aquinas himself have thought about all the attention to his traveling skull – that fragile and now empty case for the brain behind one of the most productive minds of European philosophy? Aquinas' answer lies in a short but poignant text from 'Summa Theologiae,' his best-known work. Christians should venerate relics, Aquinas says, because the saints' bodies were dwelled in by God. The very parts of their bodies were the instruments, or 'organs,' of God's actions. The saints as 'organs' of God: What a riveting image! God is so intimately present to his friends, the saints, that their very bodies are sanctified by his presence. Those hands, now dead and desiccated, performed God's own actions as they cared for the sick, fed the hungry, celebrated Mass and reconciled the lost sheep. According to Aquinas, honoring saints' relics is ultimately about honoring this divine activity, a superhuman love working through ordinary human beings. But as he notes elsewhere, God is present in all of creation, working 'most secretly' through all creatures at every moment. So by recognizing the special holiness of saints' relics, Christians can better perceive the universal holiness that radiates through the whole created world. Yet in discussing relics, Aquinas has some challenging things to say about what is perhaps their most immediate draw: the sense that when I see or touch a relic, I am physically present to a saint. Because the saints are brothers and sisters in the Christian family, he says, Christians should cherish their physical remains just as people cherish a memento of a loved one, like 'a father's coat or ring.' I did a double-take when I read this: A memento? Surely the saint's body is more than that. But Aquinas insists that physical remains really are more like mementos of the deceased than parts of them. When St. Teresa of Calcutta died, for instance, she left behind a corpse and a soul. These bodily remains shouldn't be confused with the saint herself, who was a living, breathing, bodily person. If I kiss a saint's relic, as Catholics often do, I am not kissing the saint but something that was formerly part of a saint. The word 'relic' literally goes back to the Latin word for 'leaving something behind.' The holiness of a relic, then, derives from the person it was once part of, not what it is now. Not just 'once was,' though, but also 'will be.' Aquinas adds – and to me this is one of the most beautiful aspects of his reflections on relics – that venerating a relic is also a way of looking forward to the future resurrection of the body. Christian doctrine teaches that at the end of time, God will restore each person's body, reuniting it with their soul. Relics represent that hope for everlasting life. Later this year, the skull formerly known as Aquinas' will wend its way back to its permanent place of rest, buried under the altar of the Dominican church in Toulouse, France. During its visit to the U.S., I was down with pneumonia and never got a chance to pay my respects. But I cherish the 'third class' relic that my sister-in-law mailed me from Cincinnati: a holy card that she had touched to the skull's reliquary. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Therese Cory, University of Notre Dame Read more: Why you should get to know Thomas Aquinas, even 800 years after he lived Calls for Pope Benedict's sainthood make canonizing popes seem like the norm – but it's a long and politically fraught process 'Don't Say Gay' rules and book bans might have felt familiar in medieval Europe − but queer themes in literature survived nonetheless Therese Cory does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
