The presidential election is just over a week away, and many readers have already made their choice — and some have already voted. On a return flight from his recent Southeast Asia trip, Pope Francis was asked if there were situations when a Catholic could vote for a candidate who was in favor of abortion. 

Over the past two weeks, we have seen Catholics putting their faith into action, and both national and local Catholic relief organizations have mobilized to meet the material and spiritual needs of hurricane victims in North Carolina, Tennessee, and Florida. 

Since last Oct. 7, we have seen the tragedy and specter of war reign over the Middle East. The nation of Israel has been engaged in conflict with Hamas, and Pope Francis, like a good shepherd, has provided daily spiritual support to the only Catholic parish in the Gaza Strip. 

This week marks a milestone in The Tablet’s complete coverage of faith in the Diocese of Brooklyn. It’s the culmination of three years of enterprise reporting for the inclusion of a prayer chapel in LaGuardia Airport’s new Terminal C construction project. 

This upcoming week, the United States Supreme Court will open its new term, taking on contentious cases that could have dramatic results for Catholics’ religious freedom. Two pivotal cases involving Catholic institutions may reshape the delicate balance between religious rights and state laws, raising critical questions about the boundaries of religious exemption in issues ranging from tax breaks to abortion coverage.

This month we are celebrating Hispanic heritage. Perhaps we in the Diocese of Brooklyn have memories of the Reverend Msgr. Perfecto C. Vasquez. Msgr. Vasquez was the first Hispanic Msgr. in the diocese and was a beloved pastor.

In this issue of The Tablet, we celebrate children returning to school and extol the virtues and many benefits of a Catholic education. Across the Diocese of Brooklyn, 65 Catholic elementary schools and academies and 15 Catholic high schools began a new academic year. 

Throughout September, The Tablet will be writing and reporting on National Recovery Month to help raise awareness and understanding of mental and substance use disorders. The goal of the observation is to reduce stigma, promote education, and provide support to individuals and families affected by addiction.

As the Democratic National Convention closed Thursday, Aug. 22, astonishment came across the minds of many Catholics in the United States. Even before the gavel came down to open the nomination convention, Planned Parenthood had set up mobile vans outside the arena to offer free chemical abortions to the public.