Our Guest Columnists Columns
The Georgia Bulletin features guest columns and spiritual reflections from laypeople and clergy from the archdiocesan community.
Our Guest Columnists
“Being free”
BY FATHER JAMES S. BEHRENS, OCSO, CommentaryEnglish
A group of high school seniors came here to the monastery a while back. I was asked to speak with them on what it means to be free. We met in our new Welcome Center, where there is a large and comfortable conference room. I enjoy it when young people come here. They are just […] English
Previous Columns by Our Guest Columnists
‘A Wrinkle In Time’ Still Ignites Wonder In Young, Adults
Some of us, if we are fortunate, have a moment in our ‘tween years when we learn to love reading. I am convinced that we are all naturally drawn to language as children; we marvel at its sound, we wonder at its meanings, we seek to master our own command of the mystery that is […] English
By DAVID A. KING, Ph.D., CommentaryPublished: February 16, 2012
Cana In Galilee
It seems like a long jump, to go from the readings given us during the Christmas season and the baptism of Jesus to the account of the wedding feast at Cana. But the narratives move fast and leave little, if any, room for what we are accustomed to when familiarizing ourselves with a life laid […] English
By FATHER JAMES S. BEHRENS, OCSO, CommentaryPublished: February 2, 2012
The Mass and Football
The experience of many Catholics at Mass reminds me of my Italian cousin Stefano’s first time to an NFL football game. Coming from Italy, Stefano knew football very well—but his football was soccer! So when he first visited the USA and our family took him to a Chicago Bears football game, he did not grasp […] English
By DR. EDWARD SRI, CommentaryPublished: January 19, 2012
The Supper Of The Lamb: New Mass Prayers
A few beautiful changes have been made to the translation of the prayer at Mass that comes shortly before holy Communion is distributed. Prior to Advent 2011, the priest said, “Happy are those who are called to his supper” as he held up the Eucharistic host. But the new translation of this prayer is more […] English
By DR. EDWARD SRI, CommentaryPublished: January 5, 2012
‘For All Or For Many?’: New Mass Prayers
Of all the changes in the new Mass translation, two words used by the priest at the consecration have evoked the most questions. Those two words are “for many.” Until the new translation, the priest had been referring to Jesus’ blood having redemptive value “for all”: “… this is the cup of my blood, the […] English
By DR. EDWARD SRI, CommentaryPublished: December 22, 2011
‘For All Or For Many?’: New Mass Prayers
Of all the changes in the new Mass translation, two words used by the priest at the consecration have evoked the most questions. Those two words are “for many.” Until the new translation, the priest had been referring to Jesus’ blood having redemptive value “for all”: “… this is the cup of my blood, the […] English
By DR. EDWARD SRI, CommentaryPublished: December 22, 2011
Celebremos La Buena Nueva
Saludo de Navidad. Desde finales de Octubre ya los almacenes empezaban a presentar sus mercancías para la temporada de Navidad, y a mediados de noviembre se escuchaban ya los anuncios en la televisión. Desde temprano estamos bombardeados por anuncian que nos invitan a gastar, prometiéndonos unas Felices Navidades. Se enfoca el mundo en un afán […] English
By BISHOP LUIS R. ZARAMA, CommentaryPublished: December 22, 2011
Let Us Celebrate The Good News
Christmas Greetings. In late October, stores began putting out their Christmas merchandise, and by mid-November Christmas commercials could be heard. Beginning early on in the season, we are bombarded with commercials that invite us to spend our money with promises of a Merry Christmas. The world focuses on consumption and consumerism in hopes that all […] English
By BISHOP LUIS R. ZARAMA, CommentaryPublished: December 22, 2011
Where Do I Find You? Be Alert To God’s Presence
While Advent is a time to anticipate the Second Coming of Christ, the words that constantly spring up in my heart when this wonderful Church season rolls around each year are: “Stay awake! Be on guard! Be watchful!” I find my antennae at full mast! The founder of the Sisters of St. Joseph, Father John […] English
By SISTER JODI CRETEN, CommentaryPublished: December 22, 2011
Journeying With Jesus, Longing For Peace
Advent is this great season of leaning into the future with hope in the heart and a deep longing for a world of peace, compassion and justice. How can we not be on Jesus’ journey bent on turning swords into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks? At every turn in the road, adversarial personalities and events sought […] English
By SISTER LIZ SULLY, CommentaryPublished: December 22, 2011
Learning Again How To Wait With Mary
Waiting is something I do not do very well. I’m always aware of that, but Advent brings “waiting” to my mind in a very special way. What were Mary’s thoughts as she waited? She knew all too well that the baby she carried was, oh, so special. He was the one people throughout the ages […] English
By SISTER LORETTA COSTA, CommentaryPublished: December 22, 2011
‘For All Or For Many?’: New Mass Prayers
Of all the changes in the new Mass translation, two words used by the priest at the consecration have evoked the most questions. Those two words are “for many.” Until the new translation, the priest had been referring to Jesus’ blood having redemptive value “for all”: “… this is the cup of my blood, the […] English
By DR. EDWARD SRI, CommentaryPublished: December 22, 2011
Let Us Celebrate The Good News
Christmas Greetings. In late October, stores began putting out their Christmas merchandise, and by mid-November Christmas commercials could be heard. Beginning early on in the season, we are bombarded with commercials that invite us to spend our money with promises of a Merry Christmas. The world focuses on consumption and consumerism in hopes that all […] English | En Español
By BISHOP LUIS R. ZARAMA, CommentaryWhere do I find you? Be alert to God’s presence
While Advent is a time to anticipate the Second Coming of Christ, the words that constantly spring up in my heart when this wonderful Church season rolls around each year are: “Stay awake! Be on guard! Be watchful!” I find my antennae at full mast! The founder of the Sisters of St. Joseph, Father John […] English
By SISTER JODI CRETEN, CommentaryPublished: December 22, 2011
Journeying With Jesus, Longing For Peace
Advent is this great season of leaning into the future with hope in the heart and a deep longing for a world of peace, compassion and justice. How can we not be on Jesus’ journey bent on turning swords into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks? At every turn in the road, adversarial personalities and events sought […] English
By SISTER LIZ SULLY, CommentaryPublished: December 22, 2011
Learning again how to wait with Mary
Waiting is something I do not do very well. I’m always aware of that, but Advent brings “waiting” to my mind in a very special way. What were Mary’s thoughts as she waited? She knew all too well that the baby she carried was, oh, so special. He was the one people throughout the ages […] English
By SISTER LORETTA COSTA, CommentaryPublished: December 22, 2011
Finding comfort and recommitment in Advent
Advent is one of my favorite times of the year. Summer and hot temperatures are over and the cold of January and February hasn’t arrived yet. It’s a time of Jesse trees and Advent wreaths. Yes, the Christmas trees come up after Halloween and the Christmas carols begin before Thanksgiving. For me, however, everything kind […] English
By SISTER MARGARET MCANOY, CommentaryPublished: December 22, 2011
‘I Believe …’: New Mass Prayers
Can a one-letter word really make a great difference? In the case of the new Mass translation of the Nicene Creed, the answer is emphatically, “Yes!” Instead of starting the Creed at Mass by saying, “We believe in one God …” we have begun to say, “I believe in one God.” The use of the […] English
By DR. EDWARD SRI, CommentaryPublished: December 8, 2011
‘I Believe …’: New Mass Prayers
Can a one-letter word really make a great difference? In the case of the new Mass translation of the Nicene Creed, the answer is emphatically, “Yes!” Instead of starting the Creed at Mass by saying, “We believe in one God …” we have begun to say, “I believe in one God.” The use of the […] English
By DR. EDWARD SRI, CommentaryPublished: December 8, 2011