The same Christ who entered a troubled world in Bethlehem walks with Nigeria today. He calls us to be instruments of peace.

This Thanksgiving, let us heed our bishops’ call by signing the Cabrini Pledge, advocating for policies that uphold dignity, and in your family prayer, remember the migrant: “When one member suffers, all suffer,” Scripture says. In the hope that it does not disappoint, let us build a table where everyone is invited.

In this Jubilee Year of Hope we must listen to the cries of young people and give their voices room in the Church.

On this Veterans Day, let us all pause to reflect on our nation’s veterans, who embody a sacrificial spirit for the rest of America, defending freedoms that allow us to live our faith openly, gather in worship, and pursue the common good.

As this Tuesday’s election nears, New York City’s Catholic faithful, who make up roughly a third of the city’s population and could be a pivotal voting bloc within the Diocese of Brooklyn, face a profound moral decision. 

The plight of migrants, as Cardinal Cupich and others emphasize, calls for compassionate action. Yet, when the Eucharist is carried into a volatile public square, its sacredness risks being overshadowed by political optics. As Catholics, we must strive to bring Christ to those in need, while ensuring our actions honor the Eucharist’s transcendence.

As Catholics, we all called to pray and work for peace in the Holy Land. On Sept. 29, President Donald Trump unveiled a 20-point peace plan for Gaza and Israel, offering a complex proposal that demands our prayerful discernment.

In the diocese, let this Columbus Day be a moment to recommit to our Catholic values. Gratitude for God’s providence, repentance for past wrongs, and a resolve to build a future where every person is cherished as a child of God.

Recent words marking October as Respect Life Month from Bishop Daniel E. Thomas of Toledo, chairman of the USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities, come with profound urgency and grace.