On Monday, May 23, I attended “Let Not Your Hearts Be Troubled,” the interfaith prayer service remembering and grieving for the 10 Black sisters and brothers who were slain by a young racist using an assault-style weapon. Then just a few days ago 19 children and two teachers were gunned down by a young man […]
Last Wednesday I attended a prayer service at JFK park across from SS. Columba-Brigid on Hickory Street. It was exactly one week – to the hour – since there had been a shooting at that playground that injured four young people, one critically. (You can read about Fr. Jud Weiksnar’s experience and the prayer service […]
We have just finished recognizing Black History Month, and like many others, I took the opportunity to read and learn about not just “history,” but the effects that our American experience of race relations has had on me and others. I read “White Fragility” by Robin DiAngelo which outlined in detail why it is so […]
Note: This is the second of a two-part series on our responsibilities as what our Bishops call “Faithful Citizens”. In some cases, the document, “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship” has been quoted and the specific article number is put in parentheses. In the first installment, we looked at the Church’s teaching to always follow our […]
Note: This is the first of a two-part series that approaches issues for Catholics in the upcoming election. This column deals with the issue of conscience and prudence, and the next column will deal with public policy issues and the guidance from Catholic Social Teaching. The two major political parties have finished their conventions, and […]
Later this month, both major political parties will be having their nominating “conventions.” Although they will be a vastly different kind of convention because of Covid-19 accommodations, these conventions will signal the beginning of election season in earnest. And with election season, you can be sure that the rhetoric, discussions, arguments and downright nastiness will […]
You might have heard that in early June, Pope Francis called Bishop Mark Seitz of El Paso. It’s not unusual for the pope to speak to bishops, of course, but this phone call created some news because Pope Francis called Bishop Seitz shortly after the bishop and a number of priests in his diocese participated […]
You might have heard that in early June, Pope Francis called Bishop Mark Seitz of El Paso. It’s not unusual for the pope to speak to bishops, of course, but this phone call created some news because Pope Francis called Bishop Seitz shortly after the bishop and a number of priests in his diocese participated […]
We have entered a period of response to the pandemic now when there is a great deal of discussion about which social policies are appropriate going forward. Should we open businesses? Which ones? Should we wear masks or not? Should we maintain social distancing? Which activities should still be banned? When and under what conditions […]
