Saul of Tarsus, whose conversion to the faith we celebrated on Jan. 25, is a fascinating man. We can learn many things from his life and conversion, most especially that it’s okay to be human, provided we allow grace to build upon our human nature.
Editorials
Still We March
The day before the Jonas storm dumped 26.8 inches of snow on New York City, tens of thousands descended upon Washington, D.C., as they have since the Supreme Court’s terrible Roe v. Wade decision in 1973. They were there to witness to the world, to the president and all lawmakers, of the value of human life, from conception to natural death.
May All Be One
This week marks the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. This ecumenical effort is not merely a nice thing to do, but it is indeed a command of the Lord Jesus, from His priestly prayer in the 17th chapter of the Gospel of John – “Ut Unum Sint,” or “That they might be one.” It is the Lord’s will that all of His followers be one in Him, as He is in the Father and the Holy Spirit.
Support Our Priests
We have been saddened to read in the past month of the sins and problems of some local priests in the daily newspapers. Struggles with serious drug addiction, failure to live up to priestly promises of chaste celibacy, engaging in lewd and perverted lifestyle, these are just some of the things reported about two priests […]
Looking Back
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.
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.