As the year 2015 transitions to 2016, it is traditional to make a list of important events and to reflect on them. However, if we were to do so, we might grow depressed. We had more gun violence in New York City and more random street crimes. Natural law was thrown out the window by the U.S. Supreme Court on June 26 with the recognition of same-sex marriage. With Vanity Fair’s cover celebrating Caitlyn Jenner, it appeared for many in our country that gender is now forever fluid, that one could be born with one sex but one’s gender could be shifting throughout one’s lifetime. Beloved comedian Bill Cosby was accused again and again by victims as a perverted sexual predator and finally arrested and released on bail to await trial. And the list of the secularization and moral decline of the United States can go on and on.
Editorials
New Ways to Communicate
Pope Francis recently appointed Msgr. Paul Tighe of Dublin, Ireland, a bishop. Msgr. Tighe, a genial, affable priest, has worked for the Vatican for 10 years and was very certain that he was going to be returning to his home diocese.
Tidings of Joy
The hymns of Advent and Christmas are so incredibly theologically rich.
‘Here Comes Everybody’
Our faith is more than just our own personal business; it’s more than just our own parish; it’s more than just our local dioceses; it’s more than even the national church in our country. We are part of a Church that bears the four marks of the Church – one, holy, catholic and apostolic. We are founded by Christ, on the rock that is Peter and the Apostles.
Wrong Path to Safety
In the midst of a very scary and uncertain time, Church leaders are boldly trying to set the record straight on important issues facing American citizens. In a letter to his clergy, the Archbishop Allen Vigneron of Detroit, Mich., called for caution in the public debate concerning banning the immigration of Muslims into the United States based on their religion. At the Second Vatican Council, the Council Fathers taught that the Catholic Church treats with respect those who practice the religion of Islam.
End the Violence
We are still reeling from the vicious attack in San Bernardino, Calif., on Dec. 2. This terrorist-inspired attack at the Inland Regional Center, a state-run facility for developmentally disabled people, was perpetrated by Syed Farook and Tashfeen Malik.
Out of Africa
Pope Francis’ trip to the African continent is a reminder that the Church is alive and vibrant around the world. This is witnessed in the wonderful reception that our Holy Father has received in his Apostolic Visit.
Get Ready
Like the two-faced Roman god Janus, this end of our Catholic year and the beginning of the new one causes us to look in two directions, backward and forward, in retrospection and in anticipation.
In light of this, and in light of the recently concluded feast of Thanksgiving and the beginning of the season of Advent, there are three things for us to consider: first, be aware of the gifts received this year; second, take care of those gifts; and third, share those gifts.
Light in the Darkness
The past two weeks reminded us that the world is a very scary place. The bloodshed caused by ISIS in Paris and the continuing real threat of terrorism in Belgium, Italy and yes, even in the U.S., should remind us, as we are urged in our liturgical readings with the start of a new liturgical year, that the world is passing away. This old world is groaning under the weight of human sinfulness; it is screaming out for a savior, for one to come along and take away the pain, the uncertainty.
Reasons to Give Thanks
While the most recent terrorist attacks in Paris dampen our Thanksgiving season, we still can find reasons to give thanks this year. We give thanks this year for the great gift of Pope Francis and his visit to the U.S. and New York in September. Certainly, it was a highlight among the news events of the past year.