News - November 2022 RSS Feed

As readers of The Northern Cross, you might be in a better place to see this than I am, since I do not get many opportunities to see what parishes other than my own are doing. But I am picking up on a vibe that there is a new (old) trend getting popular again, and at a very fast rate.

I was sitting toward the back, and she was close to the front row. As the priest got to the third sentence of the homily, the woman grabbed her purse, stood up, entered the aisle, turned around, and walked out. 

Most of our public arguments are over rights, often competing rights. As Americans, we pride ourselves on advancing the concept of “unalienable rights,” inspiring other such efforts around the world. Our Constitution boasts the Bill of Rights, which protects such things as the right to practice your faith openly, to advocate publicly for your beliefs, to bear arms in self-defense, and much more. 

This past Oct. 11, we celebrated the 60th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council. Vatican II was the 21st ecumenical council. It was a gathering of most all the bishops from around the world, more than 2,600 in total. 

“Now thank we all our God, with hearts and hands and voices!” These hymnal words remind us that November is packed with opportunities to be a people of gratitude and thanksgiving.

I was talking with a friend the other day, and she started saying negative things about Jesus and the church. I knew that what she was saying wasn’t true. I didn’t say anything but feel like I should have. I just feel so badly for not speaking up. Was that wrong? 

As we enter into the November elections, I draw to your attention to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which says that it is the duty of citizens to contribute along with authorities to the good of society in a spirit, of truth, justice, solidarity, and freedom (CCC-2239), and as such we have a moral obligation to exercise the right to vote (CCC-2240). To that end, below please find an election statement from me and my brother bishops.