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MSNBC’s Melissa Harris-Perry on Pope Francis’ “Cracking Open the Door to Change.”
While in Rome last week, I felt the enthusiasm and warmth at Pope Francis’ audience with more than 100,000 in St. Peter’s Square. It’s both fun and instructive to hear someone “outside the fold” comment on Pope Francis’ initial months on the job. MSNBC’s Melissa Harris-Perry’s take is crisp, perky and upbeat. Listen to her report.
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Oil Lamp From Jewish Catacombs in Rome
There are Christian and Jewish catacombs on the outskirts of Rome. They are very similar. A major difference is the type of symbols used to decorate the catacombs. Christians would use images. The menorah on this oil lamp indicates it is from the Jewish catacombs.
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Rome Mission with UJA FED of NY: Papal Audience
The President of the UJA FED of NY, Alisa Doctoroff, along with 20 leaders of the federation participated in Wednesday’s Papal Audience as special guests of the Vatican’s Secretary of State. Alisa Doctoroff spoke to Pope Francis of the strong collaboration with Catholic Charities in New York on behalf of the poor – a central concern of both the Jewish and Catholic communities. Pope Francis spoke of the lasting importance of charity in his remarks to the audience in St. Peter’s Square. Pope Francis spent considerable time walking among those gathered – especially those in wheelchairs and their families. The amount of time he spent personally greeting individuals attending the…
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Rome Mission with UJA-FED of NY
I was honored to spend Tuesday afternoon learning about the oldest Jewish community outside of Israel – the Roman Jewish community. As I walked through the Jewish Ghetto with the leadership of the UJA-FED of NY, I experienced both sadness and hope. Sadness of the tragic and sinful history of anti-semitism in which Catholics, shamefully, have played a significant part. Hope that as we come to recognize this past, we have set a new course for the future and continue to walk that course together. Over the next few days I will share more of this very important mission to Rome with, as Pope John Paul II, our elder brothers…
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NYC MARATHON CHARITY RUNNERS
I was inspired at lunch on Friday with Team Catholic Charities. The lunch was organized by one of Catholic Charities dedicated and generous Trustees. It was a chance to meet together and say thanks to the ten people who, in addition to running today, are raising $25,000 to help needy families of all religions assisted by Catholic Charities. Team Catholic Charities runners have come from near, Manhattan – the Pastor of the St. Peter’s parish next to the World Trade Center, and far, the Philippines – a doctor and her husband. I was impressed by the enthusiasm of the runners for running – but not inspired enough to even think about joining them next year. I was also impressed that they were willing to reach out to…