Commentary
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Homily on Frances Xavier Cabrini
Over the past year, our country has debated how we should treat foreigners and immigrants. How do we treat those who come here with the right immigration papers? How do we treat those who are here without the right papers- estimated now at 12 million individuals living and working in the United States? This debate reminds me of the biblical story of Jesus and the lepers. In this story, ten men suffering from leprosy, the most dreaded disease during biblical times, approached our Lord, calling out “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” Jesus cured them all yet only one special person, a Samaritan – a foreigner — returned to thank…
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Pope Francis Announces Big Synod Meeting on Families in 2014: Broad Transparent Agenda & Grassroots Input
Why all the “buzz” about this two-phase synod meeting beginning in 2014 on the challenges facing families? (FYI – Synod is a fancy word for a meeting of Bishops and experts around the world called by the Pope to consider an important issue.) Frankly, there are usually pretty boring and tedious – even when substantive. I have a couple of thoughts why this Synod on the family should be different: Putting questions on-line and inviting “survey-monkey” responses by anyone with internet access is new for synod meetings. It demonstrates transparency that many would claim is uncharacteristic of the Catholic Church. Everyone can see that the agenda is not ostrich-like. Major hot-button and important issues are covered. Same-sex marriage and…
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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…