Georgia Bulletin

The Newspaper of the Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta

Our Guest Columnists Columns

Our Guest Columnists

“Are you entitled or blessed? ”

BY BISHOP BERNARD E. SHLESINGER III

English  | En Español

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 …

Previous Columns by Our Guest Columnists

  • Knowing 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.
    Published: February 23, 2024
  • 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. TRAN 
    Published: February 14, 2024
  • Growing 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 III, Commentary
    Published: January 12, 2024
  • Sustaining 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.
    Published: December 30, 2023
  • 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, Commentary
    Published: December 20, 2023
  • The precious gift of life

    As we continue to prepare for the celebration of Christ’s birth at Christmas, my thoughts turn to the precious gift of life.  

    By BISHOP JOHN N. TRAN
    Published: December 14, 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 Bulletin
    Published: 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 III
    Published: November 17, 2023
  • Fulfilling 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.
    Published: November 3, 2023
  • 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. TRAN
    Published: October 20, 2023
  • The ‘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 III
    Published: September 21, 2023
  • Almost 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, Commentary
    Published: 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.
    Published: September 7, 2023
  • 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 News
    Published: 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. TRAN
    Published: August 11, 2023
  • The 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 Bulletin 
    Published: 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 Bulletin 
    Published: July 7, 2023
  • Deaf to the cries of martyrs

    Scripture urges us to hear the cries of our brothers and sisters around the world. In Galatians 6: 10, we read: “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”  

    By MSGR. RICHARD LOPEZ, Commentary
    Published: June 13, 2023
  • The courage to surrender in faith

    There is group of seven women from the Seven Sisters Apostolate in Atlanta who prays for me every day. One of them frequently asks me, “For what should I pray for you today?”

    By BISHOP BERNARD E. SHLESINGER III
    Published: June 8, 2023