Our Guest Columnists Columns
The Georgia Bulletin features guest columns and spiritual reflections from laypeople and clergy from the archdiocesan community.
Our Guest Columnists
“The two great virtues in Patrick of Ireland”
BY FATHER JOHN C. KIERAN, CommentaryEnglish
As a child growing up in Ireland, the only things I knew about St. Patrick were: He brought Christianity to Ireland. He banished all snakes out of Ireland. He explained the Trinity by means of a shamrock. I imagine little has changed in the minds of schoolchildren today. Still, all three of those statements are […] English
Previous Columns by Our Guest Columnists
The value of a Catholic school education
Why do families make the commitment to send their children to a Catholic school? What makes our Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Atlanta so attractive to many families? Is it worth considering sending my children to a Catholic school? As the superintendent of schools for the Archdiocese of Atlanta, I am frequently asked these […] English
By DIANE STARKOVICH, Ph.D., CommentaryPublished: February 9, 2017
An enduring economic revival
Catholic News Service has posted a series of columns from leading archbishops on key issues facing the church and the new Trump administration. This guest column was written by Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski of Miami, the chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development. In my Labor Day […] English
By ARCHBISHOP THOMAS G. WENSKI, Catholic News ServicePublished: January 12, 2017
Go in haste! Be amazed! Treasure!
By now most of you are probably aware of the depressing statistics regarding the “nones,” that is to say, those in this country who claim no religious affiliation. The most recent survey showed that now fully one-fourth of Americans belong to no religion at all—that’s approximately 80 million people. And among those in the 18-29 […] English
By BISHOP ROBERT BARRON, CommentaryPublished: January 12, 2017
A way forward on immigration
In the wake of the national elections, Catholic News Service has posted a series of columns from leading archbishops on key issues facing the church and the new Trump administration. This guest column was written by Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of Los Angeles. The Catholic bishops of the United States have designated Dec. 12, the […] English
By ARCHBISHOP JOSE H. GOMEZ, Catholic News ServicePublished: January 12, 2017
I will proclaim the mercy of the Lord forever
The celebration of Christmas is approaching and one might ask, what is the perfect time for Christmas? Why do we celebrate it? On Christmas we celebrate the birth of the Savior. Yet the era when the infant Jesus was born was not perfect at all. It was a time of much uncertainty, tension and confusion. So, was […] English | En Español
By BISHOP LUIS R. ZARAMA, CommentaryMerciful like the Father is a lifetime calling
Last in a 13-part series Last month, the special Year of Mercy proclaimed by Pope Francis came to a close. The theme for the Year of Mercy was “be merciful like the Father.” Hopefully, you can recall some definite way the Year of Mercy influenced you. Perhaps it called forth a greater mindfulness of how […] English | En Español
By CLIFFORD YEARY, Associate Director, Little Rock Scripture StudyMercy reverses the accepted order of things
Twelfth in a 13-part series All across the world the people of God pray with the words of Mary from the Gospel of Luke, “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord.” The Canticle of Mary, also known as the Magnificat, is the staple of evening prayer in the Liturgy of the Hours and first […] English | En Español
By CACKIE UPCHURCH, Director, Little Rock Scripture StudySupporting veterans at Atlanta VA Medical Center
Veterans Day on November 11 was an occasion to honor all our esteemed service people. Many throughout the country gathered for parades or for other similar events to remember and give thanks to the millions of veterans who have served in any branch of the military. This is a time for all citizens to pay […] English
By FATHER JOHN C. KIERAN, CommentaryPublished: November 17, 2016
Visitation Hospital stands after hurricane, seeing patients
Father Kieran is on the board of Visitation Hospital in Haiti and visited in late October after Hurricane Matthew. He said damage was visible around the hospital but the facility itself is intact. As access to the worst-hit areas of Haiti, Les Cayes and Jeremie, is being strictly controlled, he was not able to visit […] English
By FATHER JOHN C. KIERAN, CommentaryPublished: November 3, 2016
Pray to the finish line
The last stop for this year’s tumultuous presidential election season, which for so long seemed like a remote intangible, suddenly is within our sights. Soon, Americans will cast ballots for their preferred candidate. Unfortunately, for many American Catholics weighing their options—and their consciences—the choice is a difficult one with no ideal options. This dilemma surfaced […] English
ByPublished: November 3, 2016
God desires mercy more than sacrifice
Eleventh in a 13-part series Nothing seems to have upset the religious leaders of Jesus’ time as much as his freely associating with known sinners. The sinful of his day certainly included those known to have violated any of the Ten Commandments, but it also included those whose health, living conditions or lifestyles made them […] English | En Español
By CLIFFORD YEARY, Associate Director, Little Rock Scripture StudyBecome a credible model of mercy
Tenth in a 13-part series “The Church’s very credibility is seen in how she shows merciful and compassionate love.” In these words of Pope Francis announcing the Year of Mercy, we hear a challenge and an invitation—a challenge to offer testimony with our lives and the invitation to enter into the very heart of God […] English | En Español
By CACKIE UPCHURCH, Director, Little Rock Scripture StudyGod’s mercy calls us to be a people
Ninth in a 13-part series Most of us have experienced some form of rejection. Even the most worthy high school student can suffer rejection after applying to prestigious universities with limited quotas for new students. Home hunters may have a mortgage application rejected. Job seekers may suffer any number of rejections before landing a position […] English | En Español
By CLIFFORD YEARY, Associate Director, Little Rock Scripture StudyGod is generous, rich in mercy and love
This is the eighth column in a 13-part series. Recently, a young Franciscan was recounting his experience of encountering a new person in the prison facility where he ministers. The inmate was quite intimidating with his thick physique, massive tattoos and dominating presence. The young priest was a regular visitor who ministered in the prison […] English | En Español
By CACKIE UPCHURCH, Director of Little Rock Scripture StudyThe refugee crisis in Europe from an eyewitness perspective
During the past year we have heard from politicians, church leaders and many others regarding the Syrian refugee crisis in the Balkans and Western Europe. Unfortunately, much of the discussion has been based upon murky facts or fiction and, in some cases, outright fear. Numerous questions remain. Are the Syrian refugees really just people fleeing […] English
By DEACON STEVE SWOPE, CommentaryPublished: July 7, 2016
Jesus’ mercy calls us to encourage others
Seventh in a 13-part series The Gospel of Mark tells us of a blind man named Bartimaeus, who would sit at the roadside, begging for his livelihood outside the ancient city of Jericho (Mark 10:46-52). He hears voices from a sizeable crowd that tell him the man known as Jesus of Nazareth was approaching on […] English | En Español
By CLIFFORD YEARY, Associate Director, Little Rock Scripture StudyThe Lord hears the cry of the poor
This is the sixth column in a 13-part series. When Father James Brockman, SJ, died in 1999, his funeral Mass was here in the Diocese of Little Rock. At the time, he had been serving as director for the Office of Hispanic Ministry. He had previously served in Central America and was considered an expert […] English | En Español
By CACKIE UPCHURCH, Director of Little Rock Scripture StudyDaniel Berrigan and non-violence
Last week Father Daniel Berrigan, SJ, passed away at the age of 94. Though many younger Catholics might not remember him, Father Berrigan was one of the most provocative and controversial religious figures of his time. Standing in the tradition of principled non-violence proposed by Mahatma Gandhi, Thomas Merton, Dorothy Day and others, Father Berrigan […] English
By BISHOP ROBERT BARRON, CommentaryPublished: May 12, 2016
All the universe shares in God’s merciful love
Fifth column in a 13-part series “Indeed, before you the whole universe is like a grain from a balance, or a drop of morning dew come down upon the earth. But you have mercy on all, because you can do all things; and you overlook sins for the sake of repentance. For you love all […] English | En Español
By CLIFFORD YEARY, Associate Director, Little Rock Scripture Study