During my time at Aquinas High School in La Crosse, I was privileged to have a young Sr. Thea Bowman, FSPA, as a teacher during my sophomore year.
I have written previously about Sister Thea, who was the first Black Sister in the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration whose motherhouse is in La Crosse. She was the first African American person I knew.
Of all the titles he has held — bishop, archbishop, cardinal, and pope — Pope Francis says he prefers to be called “Father”.
“What I love is being a priest,” he has said.
On December 13, he will celebrate 50 years as a priest. He sees his ministry as being a shepherd who walks with his flock and yearns to find those who are lost.
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When Jesus was dying on the cross, one of the thieves being executed with him named Dismas — often called the good thief — turned to Jesus for mercy and asked, “Jesus, remember me when you enter your kingdom” (Luke 23:42).
Jesus turned to him and said, “This day you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43).
We have a national Catholic outreach among prisoners and those affected by crime named Dismas Ministry, which is headquartered in Milwaukee. Their logo represents the cross of Christ and the cross of the repentant criminal side of side.Dismas MinistryJesus turned to him and said, “This day you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43). When Jesus was dying on the cross, one of the thieves being executed with him named Dismas — often called the good thief — turned to Jesus for mercy and asked, “Jesus, remember me when you enter your kingdom” (Luke 23:42).
It was quite exciting for me to hear that the Catholic bishops of the United States gave their assent to the canonization effort launched for Sr. Thea Bowman, FSPA, during their recent meeting in Baltimore.
