Our Guest Columnists Columns
Our Guest Columnists
“I turned 55 and got old overnight”
BY LAURETTA HANNONEnglish
I turned 55, and something strange happened. Suddenly 50-year-olds were saying “yes ma’am” and “no ma’am” to me.
I turned 55, and something strange happened. Suddenly 50-year-olds were saying “yes ma’am” and “no ma’am” to me.
Previous Columns by Our Guest Columnists
A cat tale
This is a true story. It comes from a close friend who is the mom in the narrative. At the time, she was a young mother of 3 kids aged 5, 6 and 9.
By LAURETTA HANNONPublished: July 11, 2024
The Eucharist and Easter
I believe we complicate the simplicity of the Eucharist—the Real Presence of Christ, who wishes us to consume him so that we can go forth to love as he loves.
By BISHOP JOHN TRANAre you entitled or blessed?
There are some in the world who feel “entitled,” as if the world owes them something, but live in perpetual dissatisfaction and have no peace. There are others in the world who feel “blessed,” as if God has showered his grace upon them.
By BISHOP BERNARD E. SHLESINGER IIIKnowing the mysteries of faith through sacred art
People, of course, find the doors to the spiritual in many different forms, but sacred art has been one of them from the time of the first churches in Rome and elsewhere to museums containing great paintings of biblical events.
By BISHOP JOEL M. KONZEN, S.M.The sacrifices of deacons
On Feb. 3, I had the honor and privilege of ordaining eight permanent deacons to serve the church in the Archdiocese of Atlanta. The weather outside reflected the celebration inside the Cathedral of Christ the King; it was beautiful.
By BISHOP JOHN N. TRANGrowing in grace and cherishing life
How we value life will determine the culture in which our children are being formed. We champion the cause for life when we preach a consistent life ethic that values each person created in the image and likeness of God no matter how small or how guilty.
By BISHOP BERNARD E. SHLESINGER IIISustaining our priests with prayer
For us Catholics, centered on the reality of Christ in the Eucharist, priests are much of the binding that holds our family of faith together. In a very direct and personal way, they oversee the life of faith that we Catholics participate in.
By BISHOP JOEL M. KONZEN, S.M.If I were the devil
In 1965, Radio Legend Paul Harvey recorded a piece titled “If I Were the Devil.” It became his most famous recording. Here’s my version.
By LAURETTA HANNON, CommentaryPublished: December 20, 2023
History-making event on the horizon: National Eucharistic Congress
As the fruits of Rescue Atlanta and various initiatives around this archdiocese continue to unfold, we now set our sights on a national event—the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis on July 17-21, 2024.
By ANDY LICHTENWALNER, Special to the BulletinPublished: December 6, 2023
Is there hope within the young?
Last month, I went to the Catholic Center at the University of Georgia (UGA) to celebrate the Eucharist and participate that evening in a session of questions and answers with the students.
By BISHOP BERNARD E. SHLESINGER IIIFulfilling faraway needs in the name of Christ
I have just returned from visiting a Catholic school in Ghana, West Africa, that is more than a school. It is also a health center where people from the surrounding area, as well as the students, can receive proper health care.
By BISHOP JOEL M. KONZEN, S.M.A power humans were not meant to wield
This past Oct. 10, the 21st Annual World Day Against the Death Penalty, Archbishop Gregory Hartmayer joined other faith leaders to ask our state elected officials to change the standard of proof for those with intellectual disabilities in capital cases.
By BISHOP JOHN N. TRANThe ‘happy hour’ is the ‘holy hour’
The holy hour with Jesus will ultimately lead us to happiness. During this time of Eucharistic Revival, let us allow Jesus to speak to any feelings of hopelessness that we may have.
By BISHOP BERNARD E. SHLESINGER IIIAlmost drowning
My older sisters were supposed to keep an eye on me. We were all having fun, playing with a bunch of kids in a lake that summer. At some point I start drifting away from the others and can’t get back.
By LAURETTA HANNON, CommentaryPublished: September 17, 2023
An extraordinary World Youth Day
I was pleased to be part of the gathering of young people recently at World Youth Day in Portugal. I had also attended the 2019 WYD in Panama. About 150 pilgrims from the Archdiocese of Atlanta were able this year to make the trip to Portugal.
By BISHOP JOEL M. KONZEN, S.M.Mother Teresa’s essential lessons for living
From the day Mother Teresa rode on a train in India in 1946 and heard Jesus Christ tell her, “Come be My light,” her life was a steady answer to that call until her death Sept. 5, 1997.
By AMY WELBORN, OSV NewsPublished: August 22, 2023
The importance of education
As students begin a new school year, I feel a bit out of place. This is the first time since I was ordained a priest 31 years ago that I don’t have to prepare for a new school year.
By BISHOP JOHN N. TRANThe hidden untapped power of Natural Family Planning
There is so much hidden power in the mystery of God’s designs that they simply have to be authentically and prayerfully practiced to be understood within the heart.
By MONIQUE DAVIS, Special to the BulletinPublished: July 25, 2023
Inside prison with St. Michael and St. Teresa of Avila
I traveled to the state women’s prison to give a writing workshop. To hopefully encourage the ladies to reflect on and write about their lives and even gain some insights and clarity.
By LAURETTA HANNON, Special to the BulletinPublished: July 7, 2023