A half century ago (can you believe it?) in 1963 Father Eymard Gallagher, the Edmundite Missions Director in Selma, Alabama, included these words in his letter to Bishop Toolen of Mobile in which he requested permission “actively to help the Negro people in their struggle…”…
Author: Dana Robinson
The bishops take a stand
Once again, the world’s eyes are on Africa. This time the Ebola endemic raises our alarm. Each time I read about its expansion and morbid conquests, the bishops of Africa come to mind. So many of the ills that beset that resource-rich continent are avoidable.…
Imago hominis
One of the many beliefs Christianity sustains from our Jewish roots is that precious disclosure in Genesis, at the opening of the Torah, that man is created in the image of God. How mind-bogglingly powerful this is! The Creator with infinite irrepressible love allows us…
Bishops, secure your miters
Like it or not, one of the peskier facts of life is semantic drift. Consider the evolution in meaning of such words as ‘liberal,’ ‘unique,’ ‘gay’ or ‘egregious.’ Well, ladies and gentlemen, hold onto you hats. Bishops, secure your miters. The new springtime heralded…
Community foundation for Catholics created National group geared to modest philanthropy
By John Rivera Responding to the needs of the philanthropist of more modest means, a group of lay people established the National Catholic Community Foundation, which lets donors set up funds and recommend how the money is disbursed. It is the first community foundation geared…
Character – The Social Safety Net
One hundred and thirty years ago, the bishops took action. We were an immigrant Church. Our “foreign” faith and our susceptible youngsters required shelter from an ambient culture which, though religious, was inimical to Catholicism.
Harnessing Collaborative Energy
While considering some newsworthy item on which to report as I send on Easter greetings from the trustees of NCCF to all of you I was struck by an analogy offered by the work of that wonderful order of nuns, the Sisters of Notre Dame…
...Still to Come in this City...
In the scripture readings on March 23, St. Paul in his letter to the Romans admonishes that fledgling community of believers that hope never fails. Were the ‘tentmaker’ missionizing today he might well add to his exhortation the words: “just look at Camden!” No, not…
3.5% versus 39.9%
Like so many effective undertakings, it started with a nun. Hour Children began informally in the 1980s when Sister Tesa Fitzgerald, CSJ, became a foster parent to eight children of incarcerated mothers at her convent. Incorporated in 1992, it has expanded from a program that…
Feeling Supported in Jail
Bob Barry is an Ignatian Volunteer at the Dakota County Jail in Hastings, Minnesota. His prime function is trying to find jobs for inmates leaving the jail. He reaches out to employers to identify those willing to interview former inmates. He set up an internal…