News - December 2018 RSS Feed

Pope Francis has made several observations about good politics being at the service of peace in his message for the World Day of Peace. In talking about the challenge of good politics, Pope Francis notes that “Political office and political responsibility thus constantly challenge those called to the service of their country to make every effort to protect those who live there and to create the conditions for a worthy and just future. If exercised with basic respect for life, freedom and dignity of persons, political life can indeed become an outstanding form of charity.

I want to talk about what is probably the most reprinted editorial in any newspaper in the English language. In 1897, the New York Sun received a letter to the Editor from Virginia O’Hanlon, who was eight years old and a resident of New York City. Her letter was only a four sentences long: Dear Editor: I am eight years old. Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. Papa says: “If you see it in THE SUN it’s so. Please tell me the truth: is there a Santa Claus? Virginia O’Hanlon. 115 West Ninety-Fifth Street.

Two years ago I wrote about the importance of hospitality since we will have many more people attending Mass to celebrate Christmas with us. Here are ten ideas on making visitors feel welcome that I got from the website of the International Catholic Stewardship Council (http://catholicstewardship.com/). Let me share their ten ideas with you now. They are just as valid now as they were in 2016! I have adapted them slightly for our situation.

A few weeks ago I wrote about Saint Paul VI. I want to continue writing about these newly canonized saints. Today I am writing about Vincenzo Romano. I am going to base my remarks about him on the short biography published recently in the English edition of L’Osservatore Romano.

A few weeks ago I wrote about Saint Paul VI. I want to continue writing about these newly canonized saints. Today I am writing about Nazaria Ignacia March Mesa. I am going to base my remarks about her on the short biography published recently in the English edition of L’Osservatore Romano.