Our Guest Columnists Columns
The Georgia Bulletin features guest columns and spiritual reflections from laypeople and clergy from the archdiocesan community.
Our Guest Columnists
“Popes’ Message, ‘Be Not Afraid,’ Fosters Hope”
BY FATHER PAUL A. BURKE, Special ContributorEnglish
Published: July 21, 2005 Many people throughout the world have seen Mel Gibson’s movie “The Passion of the Christ.” While the movie looks at the last hours in the life of Jesus, we also got a rare glimpse into the lives of the disciples. Peter especially stands out. He was one of the first disciples […] English
Previous Columns by Our Guest Columnists
Coping With Terrorism
A chill shot through me when I awoke July 7 to hear that a series of bombs had exploded in London. As the morning wore on, I thought: “Now we have another anguish to cope with. How much more can we take?” At this moment of high anxiety, we need more than ever to keep […] English
By FATHER EUGENE HEMRICK, CNSPublished: July 21, 2005
God Gave Us ‘The Ultimate Wedding Gift’
When I first met my husband Rick, I was attracted to him by his Patagonia fleece and hiking boots. I thought, “He must like the outdoors.” As I started to get to know him, I was more attracted to his amazing knowledge of our Catholic faith. I was a cradle Catholic with 12 years of […] English
By CARRIE HUEBNER, CommentaryPublished: July 21, 2005
Pope John Paul II’s Motto, Totus Tuus, Is Our Prayer
Over the past couple of months, Catholics have witnessed extraordinary events in the life of the Church: our beloved Holy Father, “Pope John Paul the Great,” was called home by God to his eternal reward. After his funeral, the cardinals elected Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger as his successor, who became Pope Benedict XVI. And then, on […] English
By FATHER PAUL BURKE, CommentaryPublished: June 2, 2005
Love Of Pope Draws Youth Minister To St. Peter’s
Where were you when you heard that Pope John Paul II had died? I’m sure that moment will be vividly impressed in all of our minds and hearts through the years. For me, walking into a high school friend’s wedding just after getting the phone call of the news was one of the biggest swings […] English
By KRISTI JEFFRIES, CommentaryPublished: April 21, 2005
‘Chicken Offertory’ Deepens Meaning Of Giving
The procession began at the far entrance. Slowly a group of six swayed and turned in rhythm with the escalating music. Gift bearers and congregation all happy in song to elongate and dwell on the sacred act of presenting at the Lord’s table. This liturgical moment defined who these people are and expressed the earthy […] English
By FATHER JOHN C. KIERAN, Special ContributorPublished: March 3, 2005
Commentary: The Samaritan Woman Who Encountered Jesus
During Lent, thousands of catechumens throughout the nation are preparing to receive the sacraments of Christian initiation, baptism, confirmation and the Eucharist, at the deeply inspiring Easter Vigil. Accompanying the catechumens are numerous candidates—those who are already baptized but wish to embrace the fullness of the Catholic faith and deepen their commitment to Christ through […] English
By FATHER JOSEPH A. FAHY, CP, Special ContributorPublished: March 3, 2005
Human Trafficking Takes Advantage Of Tsunami
A form of modern-day slavery, human trafficking occurs when unscrupulous individuals prey on those who are poor and infrequently unemployed, lacking access to social safety nets, predominantly women and children in certain countries. Trafficking “feeds” the sex slave market, which is a worldwide billion-dollar business. Sexual predators believe they can go overseas and engage in […] English
By JOAN LUCAS, Special ContributorPublished: February 24, 2005
Rite’s History Recalls Joyful, Persevering Faith
When the Roman emperors were still at the height of their glory and Christianity was a crime, any external observer would think that the prospects were gloomy for the nascent Church. Nero had decreed that practicing the Christian religion was a crime against the state, treason punishable by death. The Church had no armies with […] English
By FATHER THEODORE BOOK, Special ContributorPublished: February 17, 2005
Editorial: Where Do We Go From Here?
In his 2005 World Day of Peace message, “Overcome Evil With Good,” Pope John Paul II writes, “No man or woman of good will can renounce the struggle to overcome evil with good. This fight can be fought effectively only with the weapons of love.” He states, “The inner logic of Christian love, which in […] English
By TOM REICHERT, Special ContributorPublished: February 10, 2005
Remembering Father Kelly’s Marriage Talk
I read an article recently that said you should have a vision for your marriage. Companies do it; why shouldn’t couples? I smiled when I read it and was grateful that we already had one. Grateful to the late Msgr. Robert Kelly for giving it to us. We met with three priests during our six-month […] English
By MISSY FECAS FILLION, Special ContributorPublished: February 10, 2005
Jesuit From Atlanta Witnesses Tragedy In Sri Lanka
The plan was to get up early Sunday morning, Dec. 26, to head north from Trincomalee to Nilaveli Beach to see about catching a skiff to Pigeon Island to go snorkeling. Of course, the idea of getting up early the day after Christmas did not sound too inviting, but I liked the idea of seeing […] English
By FATHER R. BENTLEY ANDERSON, SJ, Special ContributorPublished: February 3, 2005
A Cold Priest Considers Why Winter’s Come South
Well, here I am stuck in my home in an ice storm on the last Sunday of January, with no electricity. I’m unable to get out to Mass due to shut down roadways. I’m able to heat chicken noodle soup on the wood-burning stove, so thank God for little favors. Upset and frustrated, I’m trying […] English
By FATHER GILES CONWILL, Special ContributorPublished: February 3, 2005
Slavery In The 21st Century
Believe it or not, slavery is alive in the 21st century! Today slavery commonly is referred to as “human trafficking.” But regardless of its name— “slavery” or “trafficking”—this modern version is every bit as evil as the slavery of the past. UNICEF, the U.N. Children’s Fund, estimates that 1.2 million children are victims of human […] English
By TONY MAGLIANO, CNSPublished: July 15, 2004
Independence Day And Human Dignity
Some of us can remember dealing with the childhood challenge of distinguishing “independents” from “independence.” Having worked that issue through in homework assignments, we came each summer to the annual Fourth of July observance ready to celebrate our independence as independent citizens of “the greatest country in the world.” Being independent is the goal of […] English
By FATHER WILLIAM J. BYRON,SJ; CNSPublished: July 1, 2004
‘It Takes A Community To Make A Priest’
“It takes a community to make a priest,” Archbishop Basil M. Schott of the Byzantine Archdiocese of Pittsburgh told more than 500 Serra club members from around the world gathered in Pittsburgh. He said that families, parishes, dioceses and eparchies as well as the universal church have a responsibility to raise men to become priests […] English
By VERONICA VARGA, CNSPublished: July 1, 2004
The 2003 Encyclical On The Eucharist
On April 17, 2003, Pope John Paul II addressed the whole church with his latest encyclical, “Ecclesia de Eucharistia.” Here are some of my favorite quotes. “The church draws its life from the Eucharist—this is the heart of the mystery of the church.” Jesus says: “Lo I am with you always, even to the close […] English
By FATHER JOHN CATOR, CNSPublished: June 3, 2004
Outpouring Of Love Touches Whole Family
My brother, Mike, has recently fallen in love with a woman who’s not his wife, and I have proof. He hates telephones (not the physical object itself but rather the concept of having an extended conversation with someone he can’t see via a plastic gadget), but yet last week, he spent over an hour and […] English
By ANN BLASICK, CommentaryPublished: June 3, 2004
Leaving Campus With A Diploma – And Integrity
In 1954, at the outdoor commencement on the Avenue of the Oaks on the beautiful Spring Hill College campus in Mobile, Ala., a public announcement was made that Spring Hill would enroll Negro students the following September. Racial integration came to the college the same year the U.S. Supreme Court announced its landmark “Brown vs. […] English
By FATHER WILLIAM J. BYRON, SJ, CNSPublished: May 20, 2004
What The Mass Is And What It Isn’t
“Serve the Lord with gladness; come before him singing for joy” (Psalm 100:2). The liturgy of the church is the place where we all come together to admit to one another that we need God in our lives. Father James Moroney, a liturgist for the American Catholic bishops, wrote this interesting commentary: “It doesn’t matter […] English
By FATHER JOHN CATOIR, CNSPublished: May 13, 2004