News - February 2021 RSS Feed

Last week I was able to receive the first of two COVID-19 shots. When I told several people this, they asked if it really was all right for Catholics to receive these vaccines. They had seen various postings on social media urging people not to receive them for various reasons. In light of that I thought that I would include today in this column the joint letter the Catholic Bishops of Maryland issued on this subject in December, 2020. I think their comments are well worth reading carefully. ~ Fr. John

On November 11, 2020, Pope Francis released his Lenten message for 2021. He invites us to remember the One who “humbled himself and became obedient unto death, death on a cross” (Phil. 2:8). He encourages us to renew our faith, draw from the “living water” of hope, and receive with new hearts the love of God, who makes us brothers and sisters in Christ. Fasting, prayer, and almsgiving, as preached by Jesus, enable and express our conversion. The path of poverty and self-denial (fasting), concern and loving care for the poor (almsgiving), and child-like dialogue with the Father. These make it possible for us to live lives of sincere faith, living hope, and effective charity.

Today is World Marriage Day. In observance of that occasion, I am offering an article on “Ten Pointers for Prayer” from the National Marriage Initiative, an initiative of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops to communicate the meaning and value of marriage life for the Church and for society.

Even though there is much discussion about what is going in the U.S. Congress these days, I want to focus attention not on that legislative body but on the Maryland General Assembly. I have admired the great work that the Maryland Catholic Conference (MCC) does year after year in highlighting priority issues for Catholics statewide. This year the MCC invites us to participate in Catholic Advocacy Day on February 16, 2021. Because of COVID-19 restrictions, this year this event will be virtual. In 2021 the issues that the MCC wants to highlight are: education, life, and human rights.