Georgia Bulletin

The Newspaper of the Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta

Our Guest Columnists Columns

Our Guest Columnists

“Deaf to the cries of martyrs”

BY MSGR. RICHARD LOPEZ, Commentary

English

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.”  

Previous Columns by Our Guest Columnists

  • 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
  • Directing prayer to holy helpers

    Not too long ago, Bishop Shlesinger wrote in his column about Mother Mary Alphonsa, a founder of the Hawthorne Dominicans, the Sisters who oversee Our Lady of Perpetual Help Home in Atlanta. He mentioned that the process for making her a saint has begun and asked for prayers to that end. 

    By BISHOP JOEL M. KONZEN, S.M. 
    Published: May 25, 2023
  • Sharing our gifts nurtures the faith

    A vibrant parish is one where clergy and laity work side by side to build up God’s kingdom in their corner of the world. It is one where we are all stewards of the gifts given to us, whether in word, worship, through service, to build up community or in any number of ways.

    By BISHOP JOHN TRAN, Commentary
    Published: May 15, 2023
  • Dreaming of a future full of hope

    There is no subject that I enjoy preaching on more than the mercy of God. This is because I know that without God’s mercy, we are devoid of hope for an eternal remedy to the maladies which afflict us. 

    By BISHOP BERNARD E. SHLESINGER III, Commentary
    Published: April 14, 2023
  • A priest walks into a Waffle House 

    It sounds like a joke, but a priest really did walk into my Waffle House that morning. He was an arresting figure–clad in a black cassock, exuding a commanding military air and, well, he radiated.

    By LAURETTA HANNON, Commentary
    Published: April 3, 2023
  • Praying for the persecuted

    As the church comes to the solemn week when we recall our Lord’s Passion, it is a good time for us to be praying for those who are in harm’s way as they preach and live the Gospel message. 

    By BISHOP JOEL M. KONZEN, S.M.
    Published: March 30, 2023
  • Profound gratitude to God

    Since ordination, I have been asked numerous times by those I encounter: How is the transition? The answer: From my perspective, it is going well. However, others may have a different opinion. If it is indeed going well, then I only have God and others to thank.  

    By BISHOP JOHN N. TRAN
    Published: March 16, 2023
  • Patrick: the saint and the legend   

    Separating the long-standing legends associated with St. Patrick and the man himself is a tricky task. The saint’s fame is worldwide, in every country, celebrated by millions on March 17, the day of his death. 

    By FATHER JOHN KIERAN, Commentary
    Published: March 8, 2023
  • A fire that still burns

    Recently, we honored the men and women religious working in the Archdiocese of Atlanta who have done incredible things. For example, the Sisters of Mercy opened the first hospital in Atlanta in 1880 having arrived with only five dollars for their use.

    By BISHOP BERNARD E SHLESINGER III
    Published: February 18, 2023
  • Viewing choices for Catholics

    I just happened to hear a media commentator mention that he didn’t find much that he really wanted to watch on a very popular streaming service. He is probably not alone.

    By JOEL M. KONZEN, SM
    Published: February 3, 2023
  • Our Lady enters the room

    I’d been meeting up with my friend at the Mexican restaurant for at least a year. Each time I’d bring the workers flyers about our college’s free ESL and GED classes. Without fail, I’d get a polite yet entirely lukewarm response when distributing these flyers. 

    By LAURETTA HANNON
    Published: January 20, 2023
  • That they all be one: Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 

    The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is Jan. 18-25. The observance “invites all to respond to Our Master’s urgent plea for unity,” writes Father John Kieran.

    By FATHER JOHN C. KIERAN, Commentary
    Published: January 11, 2023
  • Discovering God’s will in the new year 

    The beginning of a new year is a time when many resolve to be more self-disciplined in order to improve their health and lifestyle. However, as good as resolutions are for self-improvement, they may have nothing to do with giving glory to God.   

    By BISHOP BERNARD E. SHLESINGER III 
    Published: January 6, 2023
  • The Lord of Christmas and Easter 

    At Christmas, as well as throughout our year, it is in the Eucharist that we sit up and realize that Christmas and Easter must be one for us.

    By BISHOP JOEL M. KONZEN, S.M. 
    Published: December 28, 2022
  • Becoming a better companion of Christ 

    I recently attended an eight-day silent directed retreat in order to discern more deeply how the Lord is leading me as a bishop.

    By BISHOP BERNARD E. SHLESINGER III, Commentary
    Published: November 29, 2022
  • Living what we profess

    According to Pope Benedict Emeritus XVI, the church has three obligations: “Evangelize, worship and care for the poor.”  

    By FATHER RICHARD WISE, Commentary
    Published: November 20, 2022
  • Bright spots in the realm of vocations 

    There is good news here in the Archdiocese of Atlanta in the realm of priests and religious orders.

    By BISHOP JOEL M. KONZEN, S.M.
    Published: November 11, 2022
  • That they may be one

    Recently, I had the privilege of representing the Archdiocese of Atlanta at an event honoring the late Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town, Desmond Tutu, a man who was pivotal in ending the apartheid regime in South Africa.  

    By BISHOP BERNARD E. SHLESINGER III, Commentary
    Published: October 17, 2022
  • Answering the call to abolish the death penalty 

    In his September prayer intention, Pope Francis called on “all people of goodwill to mobilize for the abolition of the death penalty throughout the world.” As the faithful of the Archdiocese of Atlanta, in a state with active death penalty statutes, we should be committed to answering this call.

    By JAYNA HOFFACKER, Commentary
    Published: September 30, 2022