The bishops have every right to enter public policy discussions, as they have for a very long time on both the state and national levels.
Archive for Category: "Opinion"
We are many faces, but we share in one mission
When you think of “the missions” what images come to mind?
Maybe you are propelled to foreign and remote parts of the world where the people look, talk and act very differently than you.
What kind of Minnesota do you want?
Creating the space for civil discourse is a contribution the church could and should make as we debate the important issues before us. The church, as a sanctuary of peace, could be the place that gives us the solace and calm to listen attentively to other members of the community as we discern the kind [...]
Letters to the Editor – September 23, 2010
My thanks to Joe Towalski for his thoughtful editorial about ground zero and the proposed site of a Muslim community center [Aug. 26]. It brought to mind the No. 1 rule of St. Benedict: All guests who present themselves are to be welcomed as Christ.
Whether technology or parish life, change is never easy
Kay was “old school” before you ever heard the phrase. In the 40 years and four cities that I’ve worked at newspapers — both dailies and Catholic papers — Kay was the absolute best proofreader I ever saw.
She knew how to spell every word in the English language, she double-checked the spelling of every name, and she added columns of numbers both up and down to make sure reporters’ math added up.
But Kay loved her typewriter.
Letters to the editor – September 9, 2010
My intention was to read Laura Stierman’s “My Turn” reflection, “A Catholic response to immigration and Arizona law” [Aug. 12], with an open mind. I found that difficult because it did not seem to have been written with an open mind.
Why I have chosen to be ‘spiritual-plus’
“I don’t need organized religion.”
I hear that now and again. Or, “I’m not religious. I’m spiritual.”
Sometimes the individual will add that he or she doesn’t see the need of going to church: “I can be spiritual all on my own.”
Our words say something about ourselves as well as others
Words have a lot of power. We can use words to offer hope, mend wounds and respectfully challenge others to reassess their views and opinions. Or we can use words — as we too often do — as weapons to hurt and demean others.
Time to count and celebrate 40-year harvest of Venezuelan Mission
Harvest time is around the corner. For farmers and gardeners, this is an exciting and satisfying time to enjoy the fruits of that labor. Jesus often compared the kingdom to a field in need of laborers for a great harvest. The church continues and shares Jesus’ mission by taking its place in the mission field [...]
We are bound to Good Shepherd through pain and healing
I had relegated shepherds to the unicorn file, somewhere near the hunch-backed blacksmith and the whistling milkman. They were the stuff of Mother Goose lore.
So, it was surprising to discover actual shepherds when I visited the Holy Land.
Mosque controversy: A case of ‘No Muslims need apply’?
The debate over whether or not to allow the construction of a mosque and Islamic cultural center near ground zero in New York has ignited heated discussion in recent weeks among a steady stream of politicians, talk show hosts and demonstrators both for and against the proposal.
Spinning Stem Cell Fairy Tales
Discussions about the morality of stem cell research often focus on the differences between adult stem cells and stem cells derived from embryos. The adult variety, such as those derived from bone marrow or umbilical cords, are already providing an impressive array of treatments and cures for sick people, while the embryonic kind are not. [...]
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