To the editor:
Jesus Christ, Prince of Peace, empowers and commands us to love our enemies, do good to those who hate us, be compassionate as God is, avoid judging and condemning others (cf. Luke’s gospel, chapter 6). Does this not seem to be the antithesis of making war or responding to warlike actions of others?
To the editor:
I wholeheartedly agree with Fr. Jim Murphy’s December letter that Catholics should not participate in the U.S. military when it is fighting an unjust war in Iraq.
This week I had several topics for an editorial. Since I couldn’t single out just one topic, I decided to write on two important issues — perhaps more connected than at first glance!
All of our parishes are hearing the call to reach out to those many people who are spiritually lost, wounded, or confused. All of us know people, including friends and co-workers, who are no longer practicing their faith.
An ecumenical prayer service, commemorating the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, will be celebrated on Sunday, Jan. 18, at 6 p.m. at Assumption Orthodox Church, 11 N. 7th St. (northeast corner of E. Washington Ave.).
Estimados amigos,
En el momento que ustedes puedan leer esta columna, habré comenzado mis vacaciones en climas más calidos. El Obispo Bullock me ha enseñado muy bien lo recomendable que es tomar vacaciones en esta época del año, y, además de muchas otras buenas cosas, estoy agradecido con él para este pedacito importante particular de sabiduría. Pido sus oraciones de salud y seguridad durante esta época de vacaciones y, más importante, el crecimiento en la fe. Éste es muy la misma oración que elevo de mi corazón para cada uno de ustedes, todos los días.
6 January 2009
Dear Brother Priests,
I pray that this letter finds you well and enjoying a blessed Christmas Season. During this time of year, when we celebrate the light of Christ coming into the world, it is necessary to consider an area of darkness in our country — the continued practice of aborting our unborn brothers and sisters.
Dear Friends,
By the time you are able to read this column, I will have begun my vacation in warmer climes. Bishop Bullock has taught me well how advisable it is to take vacation at this time of year, and, along with so many other good things, I am grateful to him for this particular important bit of wisdom. I beg your prayers that I will have health and safety during this time of vacation and, most importantly, grow in faith. This is the very same prayer that rises up from my heart for each one of you, each day.
You will find, below, a letter which I have sent to my brother priests with regard to a national effort which is being made in every diocese in the United States, spearheaded by Cardinal Rigali of Philadelphia, chair of the Pro-Life Committee of our national bishops’ conference.
Articles about the shortage of priests and religious men and women in the Church, particularly in Europe and North America, are common these days. Many international congregations like my own, the Sisters of the Holy Cross, are still getting new members but in lands other than the United States.
Whenever I read or hear about this subject, I often think about an article I read several years ago that has really stuck with me. Dolores Leckey, a laywoman who wrote a column for Catholic newspapers, entitled her article, “What Vocation Crisis?”
The Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) has been surfacing for years, so why are dioceses across the country mounting a massive postcard campaign now?
The urgency is that President-Elect Obama has promised to sign this radical legislation. In speaking to the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, July 17, 2007, Senator Obama said, “The first thing I’d do as president is sign the Freedom of Choice Act. That’s the first thing that I’d do.”
The Freedom of Choice Act might appear under a different name, but under whatever title, it is one of the most radical anti-life pieces of legislation to be promoted. It is important that this legislation NEVER reach the desk of the president.
