Our Guest Columnists Columns
Our Guest Columnists
“The man who needed a chance”
BY LAURETTA HANNONEnglish
Mama was at the grocery store when she noticed a man didn’t have enough money for food for his family. Seeing he was at wit’s end, she waited until he left and then paid for his groceries.
Previous Columns by Our Guest Columnists
Letters from Rome: Life in the interregnum, and witnessing the pope’s election
Father Gaurav Shroff of Atlanta shares his experiences during the mourning period for Pope Francis and the election of a new leader for the Catholic Church. He is currently serving at the Dicastery for the Clergy at the Vatican.
By FATHER GAURAV SHROFF, Special to the BulletinFrom ‘Buona sera’ to ‘Buona Pasqua’
The passing of Pope Francis took us by surprise in this jubilee year of hope. However, it is precisely this theological virtue that propels us forward as a church of communion and mission.
By FATHER LEANDRO NUNES TEIXEIRAFor Catholics not feeling it anymore: Guidance from a convert on how to get the fire back
If you’re sensing a disconnection from God, take heart: you’ve joined the company of the saints, a number of whom endured years in such desolation.
By LAURETTA HANNONPublished: March 13, 2025
The man lunged at me and then this happened
The campus police officers escorted the wild man to my office. He’d just exploded in a fury outside the Financial Aid Office. Screaming, thrashing about, and spewing threats of violence.
By LAURETTA HANNONPublished: January 28, 2025
The baby in the woods
A pastor recently gave a sermon on the topic of “Turning Away.” He told of an encounter he had with a stranger, a woman in need.
By LAURETTA HANNONPublished: December 8, 2024
I turned 55 and got old overnight
I turned 55, and something strange happened. Suddenly 50-year-olds were saying “yes ma’am” and “no ma’am” to me.
By LAURETTA HANNONPublished: August 11, 2024
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 III