The Church has been blessed this year dedicated to consecrated life. We have the tremendous witness of religious sisters and nuns, religious brothers and friars, and those consecrated in secular institutes to remind us of three things: first, how the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience can influence our own lives; second, how a particular charism can aid the entire Church; and third, of the necessity of joy in community.
Editorials
A Steady Barque
This past week, Rome hosted two very different, but important meetings. The first was at the Vatican, chaired by Pope Francis himself, as a meeting of the Ordinary Council of the Synod of Bishops. This was a preparatory meeting held to get ready for October’s Synod on the vocation and mission of the family in the Church and Society.
The Age of Confirmation
This past Pentecost, Archbishop Samuel Aquila of Denver released an interesting pastoral letter entitled “Saints Among Us.”
Choice in Education
There is a full court press on to gain passage of the Education Tax Credit proposal in Albany. Gov. Andrew Cuomo has thrown the full weight of his office behind it in spite of Democratic Party opposition in the Assembly.
Jumping to Conclusions
Many newspapers are jumping to conclusions about the transfer of Father Warren Hall, a priest of the Archdiocese of Newark, from his position of director of campus ministry at Seton Hall University, South Orange, N.J.
Meaning of Conversion
This past Sunday, Cuban President Raul Castro visited with our Holy Father, Pope Francis, in anticipation of the pope’s visit to Cuba this September. In his interview afterwards, Castro indicated that he is thinking about returning to the faith and going back to Mass due to Pope Francis. Castro said that he reads everything that our Holy Father writes and is very impressed by his approach.
Hillary’s Absurd Thinking
Hillary Clinton recently demonstrated a warped view of religious freedom. While speaking at the Sixth Annual Women in the World Summit, Mrs. Clinton clearly stated: “Rights have to exist in practice – not just on paper,” and “Laws have to be backed up with resources and political will… And deep-seated cultural codes, religious beliefs and structural biases have to be changed.”
Another Cop Shot
News that another New York City police officer has been murdered saddens and disturbs us. A new disrespect for the law and peace officers has gripped the city and indeed the nation. Officer Brian Moore was a young man whose life’s ambition was to be a policeman. It was a family tradition. He died in an attempt to keep our streets free of crime.
Commitment to the Future
An aging infrastructure and personnel and an eye toward the future demand that the Diocese take certain financial measures into account, and so it has announced that it will undergo a major capital campaign.
Words of the Mass
In his words of advice to new priests, it was good to hear Pope Francis suggest that they take their time with the Eucharistic Prayer at Mass. The Holy Father ties his point about preaching well-prepared homilies with the idea of reverently, carefully offering the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.