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…
Category: Advancing the Kingdom
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…
XLI
January 22nd. Those old enough to recall learning in school what the above referenced Roman numeral is are old enough to remember the fateful decision handed down by the Supreme Court 41 years ago today, a decision that vitiated the legal prohibition against the voluntary…
A Bracing Dose
We must have hope, that theological virtue which many contend is primary because of its role in leading us to the other two. Recently, I came across a powerful manifestation of hope. It is in the letter attached here and I invite anyone interested in…
Sing, Choirs of Angels
Toward the beginning of this year, this column reported on an international organization which in recent years has been enjoying a renaissance in this country: the International Federation of Pueri Cantores. Readers can refresh their recollection of this world-wide organization by visiting its site at…
"And the Gifts We Have, We are Given to Share"
Working behind-the-scenes, Kevin Tansey shares his gifts with Ignatian Volunteer Corps. Kevin is an Ignatian Volunteer, a National Board Member and a donor. He is a former Peace Corps volunteer, a retired federal government employee, a husband, father, and life-long learner.