The events of September 11, 2001, touched hearts around the world. Remembering that day, Pope Benedict XVI visited Ground Zero in New York, during his visit to the United States in April 2008. Turning to God for comfort and for courage, he offered the following prayer. O God of love, compassion, and healing, look on us, people of many different faiths and traditions, who gather today at this site, the scene of incredible violence and pain…. God of understanding, overwhelmed... Read more
I saw the World Trade Center only once. It was 1998 or 1999. It had been a number of years since I’d visited New York City; but when our youngest son Jerry began working at an airline, I took advantage of my “parent privileges” (in those innocent pre-9/11 days, parents of employees could fly for $30/roundtrip) and the two of us set off for a day trip to the Big Apple. We planned to see the sights, visit a museum, enjoy lunch and dinner—then... Read more
Just a block or so from St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, there live an order of nuns affectionately known as the “Baby Mary Sisters.” The actual name of their religious order is the Sisters of Charity or, more commonly, the Sisters of Maria Bambina; and they came to mind because on September 8, we celebrated the birthday of the Virgin Mary. When I worked with Legatus, I once needed a conference room in which to hold a meeting. The priest... Read more
The Right Reverend Kieran Conry has an idea: He has called on all Catholics in his region to turn to prayer on the First Friday of each month at 3:00 p.m., the hour when Jesus died. In anticipation of the Year of Faith, Bishop Conry, who is the bishop of Arundel and Brighton and chair of the Church of England and Wales’ evangelisation committee, hopes that working men and women will set the alarms on their cell phones for 2:55... Read more
Last week, I posted Cardinal Dolan’s prayer at the Republican National Convention in its entirety. It seemed an omission, then, not to post his prayer at the conclusion of the Democratic Convention, as well. Although it’s been posted on-line in several places, including on Cardinal Dolan’s own blog, I am pleased to do my part to spread the word: At the convention which has been dubbed the “abortion-palooza” for its flagrant celebration of abortion rights, Cardinal Dolan again offered an... Read more
I read once that when a neurosurgeon touches a spot on the human brain with a probe, he elicits memories. All kinds of memories: a moment in childhood, a school day, a family vacation from years past. Sights, sounds, tastes, smells, feelings. Pain and pleasure, fear and fury and fun. Whatever is stored on that particular neural tract, on the slender, myelin-wrapped pathway, is revealed by the surgeon’s gentle touch. It’s a sobering thought. That means that everything we have... Read more
September 8 is the Feast of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary– and I’ve got a question for you: WHY are there two babies in this picture? This painting, titled “Birth of the Virgin,” is by the Renaissance artist Giotto di Bondone (better known simply as “Giotto.”) It’s one of a fresco cycle on the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Giotto’s work can be seen in the basilica at Assisi and in the campanile (bell tower) of the Basilica di... Read more
The Democratic Platform Committee has just made room for God in their official party platform—but it was a close call! Until today, it appeared as though the Dems had rejected the Holy Spirit’s prompting to include Him in matters of state; but in what has been described as a “very close” voice vote, and at the urging of President Obama, the Democratic Party allowed the name of God in after all. The first amendment to the Platform, which was introduced... Read more
Catholics in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee are reeling at the news that 103 of its 203 parishes—more than 50%– will close or consolidate before 2020. The Archdiocese of Detroit, where I live, has embarked on an ambitious program called “Together in Faith” which will result in the closing, merging or clustering of many of its parishes—especially those in the central city, where a changing demographic means that pews are near empty on Sunday mornings. These are hard times for the... Read more
Thank you, Father Groeschel. Through the years, your steadfast teaching has kept us on a steady course in our Christian walk. By your humility and your love, you have taught us how to embrace Christ in the people we meet along life’s journey. Through your wise counsel, you have helped us to grow in understanding of the Catholic faith. May God bless you for your faithful service, and may He comfort you as you seek to do His will in... Read more
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