We’ve been hearing a lot about incidents of sexual abuse of girls and women this year.
It is a difficult subject to talk about, and I think many people want to avoid discussing it. However, I think we all have a responsibility to deal with this issue, especially in our own families.
When I mentioned to someone that Msgr. Delbert Schmelzer had died, he said, “Monsignor Schmelzer was the real deal.”
I knew just what he meant. Monsignor Schmelzer was a genuine priest who loved the priesthood.
Over Easter weekend, I watched the 2014 movie Exodus: Gods and Kings, which tells the epic story of Moses and his flight from Egypt to the promised land.
This Ridley Scott film seems to be based fairly accurately on Scripture. After seeing the movie, I did need to do some research into the actual biblical passages to find out who was who. My knowledge of the Old Testament is limited, I discovered.
I was not aware that Moses was married (his wife’s name is Zipporah) and he had one or two sons. He actually lived as a shepherd for many years before God appeared to him out of a burning bush and told him to lead the Hebrews out of Egypt.
One New Year’s resolution often heard is: “I will cultivate a sense of humor.” Maybe we say this because we feel we’re too serious much of the time.
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Pope Francis has called a special session of the Synod of Bishops, which will meet from October 5 to 19 and prepare the agenda for the ordinary session of the synod that is scheduled for the fall of 2015; both sessions will focus on the family.
In my view, the synod should focus on two related themes: marriage culture is in crisis throughout the world; the answer to that crisis is the Christian view of marriage as a covenant between man and woman in a communion of love, fidelity, and fruitfulness.
To focus the conversation elsewhere is to ignore a hard fact and a great opportunity.
The collapse of marriage culture throughout the world is indisputable. More and more marriages end in divorce, even as increasing numbers of couples simply ignore marriage, cohabit, and procreate.
As Catholics, we hear a lot about making sure we have a healthy spiritual life by attending Mass, praying regularly, and doing good works. Taking care of our souls should be a priority in our lives.
However, that does not mean that we should ignore our bodies. It is very important to take care of our bodies, too.
In religion class in Catholic grade school, I remember learning that our bodies are “temples of the Holy Spirit.” The complete quote from 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”
A ripple effect is taking place from the many important documents and contributions made by Blessed Pope John Paul II in his lifetime, according to Professor Douglas Bushman , who gave an engaging talk about the life and works of John Paul the Great as part of a special diocesan event in his honor held at St. Maria Goretti Church on May 20.
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| Sr. Marie Simon-Pierre poses in front of a picture of the late Pope John Paul II after a news conference in Aix en Provence, France, in January of 2011. (CNS photo/Jean-Paul Pelissier, Reuters) |
MADISON — The chant rang out in St. Peter’s square in Rome at what turned out to be perhaps the largest gathering in of Christianity in history, “Santo Subito!”
A consensus among the faithful and even the community of the world seemed to be aptly expressed: “Sainthood Now!” for the recently deceased pontiff John Paul II.
Joining the estimated four million Christian mourners gathered in Rome was the single largest gathering of heads of state ever outside of the United Nations, including four kings, five queens, and at least 70 presidents and prime ministers, with more than 14 leaders of other religions symbolizing this universal recognition of John Paul II’s extraordinary life.
“Santo Subito” was not just a slogan that emerged on this afternoon of April 8, 2005, but one that dates back to the early centuries of the Church in conjunction with another slogan at the time, “Vox Populi, vox Dei,” meaning “The voice of the people is the voice of God.”
