PERSPECTIVES
PERSPECTIVE
Millennial generation and bin Laden's death
I remember the morning the announcement came over the PA system. I was standing in front of my seventh-grade science class, about to start a presentation that I was eager to finish. "Attention, students and faculty: We ask that all classes pause what they're doing and pray for a special …
SEMINARIAN'S DIARY
Blessed Cardinal Newman's work teaches us how to defend faith
I took a class this past semester on the thought of Blessed Cardinal John Henry Newman, a popular 18th-century theologian who was beatified last fall during Pope Benedict's visit to England. Our Pope is a great fan of Cardinal Newman's work, especially his autobiography, "Essay in Aid of a Grammar …
REFLECTION
Do you know the psalms?
How did Jesus pray? What prayers did Jesus pray daily? To what scriptures did a recent president turn when in crisis? At Eucharist, what is central to the Liturgy of the Word?
REFLECTION
The psalms inspire
The Psalter is the Book of the Psalms. It is a collection of 150 songs of praise. Today, studies by scholars and theologians focus on the collection rather than individual songs of praise. The psalms have inspired songs, symphonies and even national anthems. Iceland's national anthem, for instance, is based …
BISHOP MAGINN HIGH
Chaplain reflects on his first year
Last fall, I received a phone call from Rev. Ronald Menty, the diocesan administrative advocate for priests, asking if I would consider serving as chaplain to Bishop Maginn High School in Albany.
REFLECTION
Psalm power
The psalms are probably the most widely-read portions of the Bible's Old Testament. The psalms were sung by the Israelites in the context of worship to provide a means in which they might bring their praises, thanks, hurts and grief honestly and openly before God. The psalms were not thundered …
DEATH AND DYING
In life and death, we belong to God
Spring could not have come soon enough. It was a brutal winter. After clearing the last vicious gasp of the season - 12 inches of wet, heavy snow - my husband, Joe, suffered a heart attack.Thank God, we got him to the hospital quickly and the cardiology team was top-notch. …
SEMINARIAN'S DIARY
Facing discouragement in ministry
I told her that I was a seminarian studying to be a Catholic priest and as part of my training I was a pastoral care intern at the hospital. Halfway through my sentence, her face hardened. "I'm going to have to ask you to leave, please."
ANNUAL DINNER
Catholic Charities contemplates future
This past year has been a year of great transition and change for Catholic Charities of the Albany Diocese. We have mourned the loss of our inspirational leader and friend, executive director Sister Maureen Joyce, RSM. We have been faced with the reality of a fragile economy and the diminishment …
PERSPECTIVE
Slow: Families at prayer
Dinner at our house is typically a noisy affair. With forks held in mid-air and the youngest already chewing, we set about saying grace each night.It's certainly not the style of prayer you'd hear in a silent monastery or a soaring cathedral, but it's the only style of prayer that …
PERSPECTIVE
Avoiding a Mass exodus
I shake my head and laugh quietly to myself watching our sons, now grown, willingly attend Sunday Mass. Believe me, that wasn't always the case.When the boys were little, we were regular fixtures up in the balcony at 10:30 a.m. Mass. I packed Cheerios and books for nourishment and quiet …
REFLECTION
Easter joy continues
Are you different? Did this Easter season change your life by bringing you a new joy? Since the Easter season is 50 days - 10 days longer than Lent - the Church emphasized the importance of continuing the celebration.
250 X 250 AD
250 X 250 AD
Events
250 X 250 AD