To the editor:
Father Murphy’s letter in the December 25 edition of the Catholic Herald touched on a number of sensitive issues concerning the military.
Author: Chris Lee
Bishop Morlino’s letter to priests
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.
Lucha por la Libertad del Acto de Escogencia
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.
Agree with priest on not supporting the military
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.
Other ways besides force to promote justice, peace
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?
Redefining the ‘vocation crisis’
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?”
Stop the radical Freedom of Choice Act
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.
Catholic Schools Planning Core Teams
Nearly 100 people from across the diocese gathered on January 7 to carry forward the work of Catholic Schools Planning as members of one of the four Core Teams.
The evening opened with introductions, prayer, a brief background of the project, and an explanation of the process. In a letter of welcome to all of those gathered, Bishop Morlino conveyed his “deep gratitude and constant support” for the work of the Core Teams saying, “What a true blessing that so many of you have gathered to offer your time and talent as we plan for the future of our Catholic schools.”
Catholic Schools planning – Emerging themes
The Steering Committee for Catholic Schools Planning met in early December and is moving forward with plans for two major events in January. The first of these is the gathering of the Core Teams. The Core Teams represent a major extension of the planning process. Over 100 people from across the diocese will serve on four Core Teams, one for each area of planning: Catholic Leadership; Academic Curriculum; Enrollment Management; and Fiscal Stewardship.
Thanks for timely articles, especially Fr. Dietzen’s
To the editor:
I want to thank you for the nice article “Santa Claus Lives on Forever” by Fr. John Dietzen (Catholic Herald, December 11 issue). It was very informative and interesting. I read it and then reread it two or three times more.