To the editor: […]
Category: Opinion
The power of prayer: Pope Francis invites Palestinian and Israeli presidents to pray for peace
Pope Francis has again surprised the world by inviting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli President Shimon Peres to join him at the Vatican to pray together for peace. The event has been scheduled for Sunday, June 8.
The pope announced his invitation to Abbas on May 25 at the end of the Mass that Abbas attended in Manger Square in Bethlehem. Later the same day, Pope Francis repeated his invitation — using the same words — to Peres after arriving at Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv.
Stay on the path of dialogue and peace
Pope Francis has urged the two leaders to stay on the path of dialogue, reconciliation, and peace. There is “simply no other way,” the Holy Father said.
The power of prayer: Pope Francis invites Palestinian and Israeli presidents to pray for peace
Pope Francis has again surprised the world by inviting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli President Shimon Peres to join him at the Vatican to pray together for peace. The event has been scheduled for Sunday, June 8.
The pope announced his invitation to Abbas on May 25 at the end of the Mass that Abbas attended in Manger Square in Bethlehem. Later the same day, Pope Francis repeated his invitation — using the same words — to Peres after arriving at Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv.
Stay on the path of dialogue and peace
Pope Francis has urged the two leaders to stay on the path of dialogue, reconciliation, and peace. There is “simply no other way,” the Holy Father said.
It’s soil, not dirt
To the editor: […]
The value of cemeteries: Remembering those who have gone before us
Maybe I’m a little strange, but I have always enjoyed visiting cemeteries. I still have memories from my childhood of walking around the small country cemetery when we visited my grandmother’s home not too far away.
It was interesting to see the names of our relatives on the tombstones. Some of the monuments even had pictures of the deceased and information about them. Rather then being scary, the cemetery gave me a sense of peace and connection with those who lived before me.
Connection with family members
My father died when I was 16 years old as a result of a heart attack. We didn’t have a family plot in La Crosse, where I was born (my parents both came from other parts of the state). I recall helping my mother select a plot and a tombstone for the grave. Since my father loved praying the Rosary, we had a Rosary engraved on his monument.
In the years since, I have been doing genealogy research on both sides of my family. During that research, I have visited cemeteries where my ancestors are buried. It has been such a joy to be able to pray at the graves of my grandparents and great-grandparents. Fortunately parishes have been kind enough to let me search through their records, some of which are in Latin (I’m thankful for my high school Latin classes).
The value of cemeteries: Remembering those who have gone before us
Maybe I’m a little strange, but I have always enjoyed visiting cemeteries. I still have memories from my childhood of walking around the small country cemetery when we visited my grandmother’s home not too far away.
It was interesting to see the names of our relatives on the tombstones. Some of the monuments even had pictures of the deceased and information about them. Rather then being scary, the cemetery gave me a sense of peace and connection with those who lived before me.
Connection with family members
My father died when I was 16 years old as a result of a heart attack. We didn’t have a family plot in La Crosse, where I was born (my parents both came from other parts of the state). I recall helping my mother select a plot and a tombstone for the grave. Since my father loved praying the Rosary, we had a Rosary engraved on his monument.
In the years since, I have been doing genealogy research on both sides of my family. During that research, I have visited cemeteries where my ancestors are buried. It has been such a joy to be able to pray at the graves of my grandparents and great-grandparents. Fortunately parishes have been kind enough to let me search through their records, some of which are in Latin (I’m thankful for my high school Latin classes).
Value of Catholic school education: This graduate wouldn’t trade it for a million dollars!
“I would not trade my Catholic education for a million dollars!” That’s what Ashley Hornung, soon to be a graduate of St. Peter Catholic School in Ashton, says in her reflection in the Graduation section published in this week’s Catholic Herald.
Ashley is one of this year’s Catholic school graduates in the Diocese of Madison who were asked to comment on what their Catholic school education means to them.
Learning about their faith is priceless
Ashley is right. That strong faith is indeed worth more than a million dollars. It helps these young people on the path to holiness and happiness in this life and the next — things that are priceless!
Ashley also said, “I feel that I am a stronger person because of my Catholic education. I will miss my Catholic school very much next year! The thing I will miss the most about St. Peter’s is the cozy Catholic environment. Everybody at St. Peter’s is so nice, and it reminds me of a family. I like the fact that I can talk so freely with everyone at St. Peter’s about my faith. My friends and my wonderful teacher will be missed the most!”
Most of the graduates mention the importance of learning about their faith at their Catholic schools. They say they have become stronger in their faith and will take that with them as they go on to the next level, whether it be middle school, high school, or college.
Consider offering support and prayer for retired priests
To the editor:
In his inspiring Holy Thursday homily, Pope Francis declared, “I ask the Lord Jesus to confirm the priestly joy of those who have already ministered for some years.” He prayed that God gives them a “second wind” to help them faithfully serve.
Our 77-year-young pope continued, “I ask the Lord Jesus to make better known the joy of elderly priests, whether healthy or infirm. It is the joy of the cross, which springs from knowledge that we possess an imperishable treasure in perishable earthen vessels. May these priests find happiness wherever they are.”
Remembering mothers: On Mother’s Day and throughout the year
Mother’s Day is set aside to remember and honor all mothers. It is important that we recognize mothers on this Sunday, May 11.
As a mother myself and now a grandmother, I appreciate spending time with my children and grandchildren. The gift of time is probably more important than cards and gifts, but most mothers like to receive a small token of love from their children.
Many of us keep those special homemade cards and drawings we got through the years. I found some of them when we moved from our house to a condo last year and enjoyed sharing them with our now grown children.
But while Mother’s Day should be observed in some way, we should also remember mothers throughout the year. This is especially vital for our aging mothers, mothers-in-law, and grandparents. They especially cherish the time we can spend with them, including those who live in senior housing, assisted living, or nursing homes.
Why observing Divine Mercy Sunday is so special
To the editor:
This is in response to your Editor’s View piece in the April 24 issue, in particular the paragraphs headlined “Observing Divine Mercy Sunday.” Thank you for writing about it.
The first paragraph seems to indicate that there is some choice on the part of Pope Francis to observe Divine Mercy Sunday. My understanding is that Pope John Paul II made it part of our faith through a papal bull and thus infallible. Pope Francis’ choosing to canonize both new saints on Divine Mercy Sunday is because both are involved in Christ’s request that it be so.