One of the most important things I have learned this year is that life itself is a lesson through which we learn every day.
Month: January 2021
God’s Revelation Through Faith and Science
Because St. John’s is a Catholic university, every undergraduate student is required to take courses in theology and philosophy, no matter what their major might be. Whether they are biology majors aspiring to careers in medicine, or business majors aiming to be leaders in the corporate world, their theology courses aim to help them understand the teachings and traditions that make a Catholic university distinctive and to ground them in values that can guide them along life’s journey.
Thoughts on a Pro-Life Picket Line
One of Dr. LeRoy Carhart’s “Clinics for Abortion & Reproductive Excellence” — named to yield the Orwellian acronym CARE — is located about a mile away from my parish in Bethesda, Maryland. Earlier this year, 40 Days for Life prayed daily outside Carhart’s abortuary, which specializes in late-term “terminations.” Parishioners from a number of local churches participated in the 40 Days program, hoping to save some innocent lives and to help women in crisis pregnancies find genuine care.
Pope Francis’ Vision
A few months ago I learned that Pope Francis was writing an encyclical and also a book, both dealing with the pandemic. When I told a friend of mine he said to me, “What can the pope say about the pandemic?” I cannot recall my response but I do recall thinking that the Holy Father could probably say a great deal about the pandemic. I was right. The encyclical “Fratelli tutti” and the book “Let Us Dream Together” are magnificent.
The Year 2021 Holds Much Promise
As we begin this New Year, we all are certainly filled with anticipation. If we look back on this past year, we know that no one would like to repeat 2020. Yet, what 2021 has in store for us we do not know. Certainly, our main hope would be that the roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccines will bring an end to this terrible virus that has controlled our lives for the better part of 2020.
The Long Road to Sainthood
The journey to sainthood in the Catholic Church involves several steps that can take many years.
Bishop Ford Guild Promotes Sainthood for Brooklyn-Born Missionary
The cause for canonization for Bishop Francis Xavier Ford (1892-1952) is getting a helping hand from the Bishop Francis Xavier Ford, M.M. Guild, which is is planning to intensify its efforts.
After Maradona’s Death, Pope Francis Opens Up and Talks Sports
After the recent death of his Argentine countryman Diego Maradona, arguably the greatest soccer player of all time but also a man who spent much of his life battling personal demons, Pope Francis has addressed the superstar’s legacy.
Pope’s Point Man on Charity Released From Hospital After COVID Fight
After a 10-day stay in the hospital battling COVID-19, one of Pope Francis’s closest cardinals came home Jan. 1 to find a gift from the boss: An Argentinian steak.
In New Year, Share the Blessing of Your Time, Pope Writes
At the beginning of a year people hope will mark the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, Pope Francis urged them to create a “culture of care,” including by sharing the gift of their time with others.