Almost overnight, there was a universal new normal, although there was nothing normal about this newness. For principals working under these demanding and chaotic circumstances and still continuing to do so, the pressure is incalculable, the options are limited, and the sleepless nights have become the norm.
That kitchen table and those pictures encapsulate the shaping of my early political ideology. Faith, family, the Irish immigrant experience, and the importance of American citizenship were tenets emphasized by the words and example of my late parents.
The Department of Education was having difficulty getting a plan together for the new school year. The mayor and chancellor chose to politicize our children instead of creating viable options for education and learning.
Yesterday, abruptly and without consultation, we received some troubling news from the Governor’s Office; an Executive Order would close our schools immediately.
Every four years, not coincidentally, is election time, and it tends, unfortunately, to be an occasion for startlingly rude and histrionic behavior among some of our fellow pew sitters.
Has it really been 50 years since I first walked into The Tablet offices at One Hanson Pl. in Downtown Brooklyn? The numbers don’t lie. On Sept. 21, 1970, I reported to work for The Tablet. That is why I chose Sept. 21, 2020, to be my date of retirement.
Sometimes, you never know where or when your life can change for the better. When it does, you will know it. I should know. It happened to me 48 years ago. They say that if you want to make God laugh, just tell Him your plans. I am sure that He laughed at my plans, but He made me smile when He planned for me to meet my friend again.
This question can be challenging for a trivia quiz. I suppose it would make people think, especially those who are interested in the Catholic doctrine on the sacrament of marriage. I want to see smart guys raise their hands to answer the question.
During Tropical Storm Isaias, several brave birds visited the feeder in my Brooklyn garden, so I was hopeful that we would weather this storm unscathed. I was wrong.
Kudos to The Tablet of this past August 1, for the enlightening coverage of African Americans whose causes for canonization are being promoted by the Church. Despite the roadblocks of racism that stood in their paths, they persevered in following the Lord without counting the cost. They are truly an inspiration to us.
