In this season of Thanksgiving, my heart is turned again toward what makes me deeply grateful—beginning with the chance to celebrate a national holiday devoted to thanking God for so many blessings. Prayers of gratitude toward God quickly become prayers of gratitude for all the people in my life who are His great gifts to me.
Remember last year when we wanted nothing more than to celebrate with family and friends like usual? Now we’re on the brink of a holiday season with hopes as bright as Christmas lights. But with the return of traditions, travel and time together, we may also encounter the gripes, grudges and jostles of family gatherings.
Servant of God, Sister Thea Bowman, taught us we can be truly Catholic and authentically black. I bring my blackness, songs, dancing, time, talents, and love to a Church that hasn’t always loved me.
Violence against Catholic churches, statues, and religious objects, in particular, has increased greatly during the past year. Since May 2020, there have been more than 81 confirmed attacks on Catholic churches in 25 states, according to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Vandals have toppled, defaced, destroyed, and set fire to Catholic schools, churches, offices, convents, monasteries, statues, and devotional objects.
Haiti never stops dying. It’s the sad truth. The people in the streets say this, and according to my little experience in Haiti as a Catholic priest, Haiti is dying.
I would like to recommend that the Great Irish Fair make Msgr. Bernard J. Quinn, Servant of God, the posthumous honoree next year. “Father Quinn,” as he was fondly known to everyone, wholeheartedly embraced the downtrodden lot of African Americans as an Irish American priest.
As a recent college graduate and now as a seminarian, I cannot help but reflect on the importance of Catholic campus ministries, Newman Centers, and Newman Clubs serving students around the country.
I feel privileged to know Bishop Robert Brennan and to have had the opportunity to serve alongside him in the Diocese of Columbus as the Vicar for Hispanic Ministry.
What if we were to meet Jesus here in Brooklyn or Queens and he asked us: Do you also want to leave? (John 6:60-69) What would our answer be?
In response to the new Texas law that protects unborn children from abortion after their hearts begin to beat, New York State politicians appear to be somewhat hysterical. They held a political event earlier this month in Central Park, blasting the law as “shocking,” “draconian” and “dangerous.”
