Msgr. John F. Casey, Sister Thomas Edna Stack, CSJ
Month: December 2023
God’s Involvement In Our Lives Makes Us More Free
The last two columns were about existentialist philosophers. One was about Søren Kierkegaard (1813-1855), the first existentialist and a deeply religious Christian, the other was about the most famous atheistic existentialist, Jean-Paul Sartre (1905-1980).
Enthusiasm Abounds at Youth Conference
“Who knew it was this much fun?” This phrase encapsulates the sentiments expressed by the young Church when describing their profound experiences at the National Catholic Youth Conference.
The Angels Wait for Our Answer to the Call to Faith
Liturgically, today offers us the “once every six years because of leap year” combination of the Fourth Sunday of Advent and Christmas Eve occurring on the same day. Today’s Gospel, St. Luke’s narrative on the Annunciation, finds its nine-months-later fulfillment in the proclamation of the Birth of Christ that we will hear in just a few hours.
In the Holy Land, a Tragic Christmas
In 2023, for Christians, the unthinkable has happened: In Bethlehem in the West Bank, the birthplace of Jesus Christ, the place where Christmas began, Christmas has been canceled.
Safe at Home! MLB Umpire Grounded by Catholic Faith
In life, we all make mistakes. As Catholics, we believe that since we are human, our mistakes are forgiven through the acts of confession and reconciliation. However, imagine being an MLB umpire — where your mistakes are broadcast live to hundreds of thousands of passionate baseball fans every single night. It sure sounds like a humbling experience!
NY Gov. Hochul Signs Bill Establishing Panel to Examine Slavery Reparations
PROSPECT HEIGHTS — Entering 2024, New York state will create a commission to consider reparations for African American residents. Up against a Dec. 31 deadline, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a bill on Dec. 19 to establish the panel. New York legislators originally passed the bill to create the commission back in June. “Today, we are […]
Faithful Can Receive an Indulgence in the Diocese
WILLIAMSBURG — To remind people of the true meaning of Christmas, St. Francis of Assisi made a decision 800 years ago that drastically revitalized Catholic tradition. In 1223, he gathered faithful to the town of Greccio, Italy, and staged, with animals, the first Nativity scene, reenacting the birth of Jesus Christ. Now, in recognition of […]
New Texas Law Criminalizing Unauthorized Migrants’ Entry Into State Called ‘Inhumane’
Gov. Greg Abbott, R-Texas, signed an immigration bill into law Dec. 18 that makes it a state crime for unauthorized migrants to cross into Texas from Mexico. Catholic organizations including the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops have opposed the legislation.
Vatican Note on Blessing Same-Sex Couples Draws Mixed US Reaction
In the hours that followed release of a Vatican note outlining the pastoral grounds for same-sex blessings, reactions among American Catholics seemed to run the gamut from styling it as a major step forward to insisting on hitting the brakes, on the grounds that not much has really changed.