Mothers observe their children from an early age. They watch how they grow and develop, seeing what gifts and talents each child possesses.
Category: Opinion
John Paul II: A model for us all
The first time I saw Pope John Paul II in person was at Living History Farms near Des Moines, Iowa, in 1979. The Holy Father celebrated Mass and preached on a hillside altar.
In his homily, Pope John Paul II reminded us that the land is God’s gift entrusted to his people “as a means of sustaining the life he created.” He called on farmers to be generous with food to help feed the millions who are hungry.
American society has been redistributing wealth from the poor to the rich
To the editor:
The column entitled, “‘Social justice’ is a complex concept” by Fr. Robert A. Sirico published in the April 14 issue of the Catholic Herald is confusing.
United States income has been redistributed from the poor and middle class to the wealthy for 30 years. The book Winner-Take-All Politics by Pierson and Hacker shows that in 2005 dollars, income of the 20 percent of American households earning the least rose from $14,900 in 1979 to $16,500 in 2005, or 10 percent. Average income rose from $42,900 to $52,100 or 21 percent.
Article was an insult to gun owners who are law-abiding and qualified to carry guns
To Stephen Kent:
Your article in the April 7 issue of the Catholic Herald was an insult to every gun owner.
You generalize the population as unqualified to own a weapon. Evidently you are not a gun owner nor were you raised in a conservative hunting family.
I assure you that I, my family, and my children are just as qualified as most police officers or even more so.
In time of crisis, there must be peace and discourse
To the editor:
In a time of crisis in our land, our people are called to repent, to pray, and to praise God. We are to be a prayerful, sacrificial people. We are to be a “Light for the World.”
We are to forgive and start anew. We are to recognize that God calls us to reconciliation. We must reach out to our neighbor — to start anew and seek the highest holiness.
The common ground must be love, peace, charity, and respect for others. Our history of kindness must be carried forward without reservation for past hurts.
Public broadcasting does not deserve public support
To Mark Pattison:
I am writing in response to your column in the March 31 issue of the Catholic Herald about the defunding of public broadcasting.
I am very surprised and shocked at your overwhelming support! Do you not see the very liberal-mindedness of the PBS programming? Multiple shows constantly reaffirm the lie that evolution is a fact and not just an unproven theology.
Also, what about shows like In the Life that constantly affirm homosexuality?
Humanity of unborn babies
To the editor: […]
Keeping faith alive: In the places where Jesus walked
Many people in the United States are facing challenges because of unemployment and economic difficulties. Budgets are tight.
However, the worldwide downturn in the economy is also affecting the people living in the land where Jesus lived and walked, where he suffered, died, and rose from the dead.
As we observe Holy Week and Easter, we especially hear about places such as the Sea of Galilee, Bethelehem, Nazareth, and Jerusalem. In all those places today, Christians are struggling to keep their faith alive and to live in dignity.
We remember Bishop Bullock: With admiration and affection for a respected and beloved shepherd
As the bells toll outside my office at the Bishop O’Connor Pastoral Center in Madison, I am reminded of the death of Bishop William H. Bullock, our respected and beloved bishop emeritus.
A voice for peace: Let’s join the Holy Father in praying for peace
Recently I traveled by air outside of Madison. I experienced more thorough airport screening than I had previously, reminding me that our world is a dangerous place.
Violence can be found in almost every corner of the globe. We know there are legitimate reasons for people to fight against tyranny and oppression or to defend themselves against aggression.
However, it seems that people and nations often resort to violence as the first rather than the last resort. The “shoot first, ask questions later” mentality seems to be prevailing throughout the world.