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Tuesday, March 19, 2024

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The Local Church

‘Driver’s Licenses for All’ – a broader perspective

1986. It has been 37 years since we have had comprehensive federal immigration reform in this country. Over the years, such reform has been backed by the Better Business Bureau and many policing entities and community organizations across the country. But the use of reason when addressing this issue has been clouded by political posturing and fearmongering.

Great uncle, great priest

Father Roger Hessian, my great-uncle, celebrated his 60th anniversary of ordination into the priesthood in February. This remarkable milestone has prompted me to reflect on what a blessing he has been to our family. Growing up, I never thought much about having a priest in the family, but with age and perspective, I have come to realize what a unique gift it has been.

A light in the darkness

A year ago, we faced the beginning of a global pandemic. Our Church reduced the risk of spread by ceasing the sign of peace, emptying holy water fonts and limiting Communion to only the form of the Precious Body. As the novel virus spread, our Churches were shuttered. Our schools were closed. In the midst of Lent, we couldn’t gather to worship.

Two ships

One of my favorite icons depicting the Church is Christ with his Apostles in a boat. Our Lord holds the rudder with the sails up, completely at ease and full of confidence as he looks ahead. Along with the Apostles, the Blessed Mother prays peacefully with her eyes fixed lovingly on her Son.

Dorothy Day’s spirituality in the COVID era

Forty years after her death on Nov. 29, 1980, does the spirituality of Servant of God Dorothy Day offer COVID-era Christians assistance through a lengthy rough patch? Absolutely! Throughout her adult life as a Catholic, Day faced a variety of crises.

Here I am. Send me.

During this year marked by the disruption and pain brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, we find ourselves bound together with the rest of the world in ways unknown before, as we all reckon with our human frailty and uncertainty about the way ahead.

Voting with a ‘well-formed conscience’

It’s time to set aside the fight over which candidate has conformed to the full seamless garment of pro-life morality, because no one on the field has the right to claim that victory. We do not have a truly pro-life candidate anywhere on the ballot — nor, frankly, have I known of one on any ballot in my lifetime. That is not an excuse for Catholics to throw up our hands and abdicate the moral responsibility to vote. Instead, Catholics in every political party need to take responsibility for making their respective leadership hear our legitimate concerns.

My Catholic school, a second home

As a single mother from Ethiopia, I have seen the difference between a good education and a bad one. A school that teaches discipline and respect and one that does not. A child who knows their God and one who is still searching.
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