January 2, 2020
One of the striking aspects of spending four months in San Antonio, Texas, is the very Hispanic/Mexican feel of the city as well as the way it manages its social challenges, just as homelessness, poverty and more recently, the daily appearance (at its bus stations and airport) of Central American migrants who have been released “on cognizance’’ from nearby border detention centers. These...
January 2, 2020
What greater duty does any person of integrity have than to speak the truth about that which is morally wrong, unjust and despicable? To speak one’s mind, to challenge injustice, abuse, exploitation, torture and the unlawful taking of life is a serious obligation. It is a constitutional right to do so supposedly without fear of retaliation and persecution.
December 2, 2019
A couple of years ago, before starting the Christmas Mass, in a chapel in the southern area of the archdiocese of Santiago, Chile, a family arrived with their children. One of the children brought a teddy bear and when I was greeting them, at the entrance of the church, I decided to greet his teddy bear.
November 1, 2019
The catechumenate is the period of preparation for baptism that adults go through. The Catholic Church reinstated the catechumenate or Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) after the second Vatican Council. The process takes one year and culminates in the reception by adults of baptism, confirmation and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil.
November 1, 2019
Noisily he made his haggard way
down the corridor to the departure gate
a gimp exuding anger.
Taking a seat he announced under his breath
audible for those near to hear
that he had traveled halfway round the world.
Expecting welcoming attention for his emigrant status
or even an inquiry of where he had come from
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The Columbans are a society of missionaries, including priests and lay people, who minister to people of various cultures as a way of witnessing to the universal love of God.