By Bob Sullivan
Some people think that Jesus defined the canon of the Old Testament (OT). The canon is the list of books of the Bible.
The Catholic Church established the canon to include 73 books. This first happened in 367 AD when St. Athanasius, a Catholic bishop, set out the books he believed should make up the Bible. This list, or “canon,” was then ratified over and over again by regional councils of bishops, popes, and saints from then on.
Most Protestants believe the canon of Scripture only includes 66 books. The Protestant theory began in about 1517, or about 12 centuries after Christians had already settled on the 73-book canon. At that point, the Catholic Church made the 73-book canon official at the Council of Trent.
“Sweep: The Story of a Girl and Her Monster,” by Jonathan Auxier.
Abrams, The Art of Books, New York, 344 pages, 2018, Grades 6-9.
By Fr. Justin Fulton
Nebraska is turning 153 years old this weekend. If you grew up in Nebraska, do you remember around the fourth grade when we would learn about Nebraska history? Names like J. Sterling Morton, Willa Cather, George Norris, and William Jennings Bryan. Do you remember dressing up as pioneers? Do you remember square dancing? I sure do. I thank God every day there are zero pictures of me square dancing in existence.
“Madeline Finn and the Library Dog,” by Lisa Papp
Peachtree, Atlanta, 2016, 32 pages, K-2.
By Fr. Justin Fulton
I’ll never forget the first person I watched pass away into the arms of our Eternal Loving Jesus. I was in my first year of theology at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia and on Thursdays I was assigned to visit patients at Holy Redeemer Hospital in Huntingdon Valley, Pa.
Father Jeremy Hazuka, pastor of St. Michael Parish in Hastings, recently invited Dan Burke to Hastings to give a mini-retreat on the power of prayer.
Dan provided a lot of inspiration and many great insights into the importance and power of prayer, as well as numerous, very practical, tips anyone can employ in order to deepen their prayer life. At one point he said that he often prays that people will ask him questions about Jesus, prayer, and the Catholic faith.
By Tom Venzor
“A good Catholic meddles in politics,” said Pope Francis during a daily Mass homily in 2013.
This statement of the Holy Father, on its face, may seem contrary to our natural instincts these days when it comes to politics. After all, to meddle in politics would be to dirty ourselves because politics itself is dirty. Politics is a game played by the elite of our society, by those seeking power, profit, and pride, so many believe.
But politics is quite the opposite. “Politics,” as Pope Francis said during that same Mass, “is one the highest forms of charity, as it serves the common good.” Politics is not something “I can... wash my hands” of, as the pope continued. As with all things, politics belongs to Jesus Christ. Politics is directed toward His Kingdom—that same Kingdom for which we pray every time we recite the Our Father.
"The Magnificent Migration,” by Sy Montgomery.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Boston, 2019, 153 pages, Grades 7-9.
By Fr. Justin Fulton
“I am very fond of dreams in families. For nine months every mother and father dreams about their baby. Am I right? They dream about what kind of child he or she will be....You can’t have a family without dreams.
By Bob Sullivan
Faith comes in all shapes and sizes. While all Catholics profess the same faith—the content of revealed truths— every individual Catholic has a different depth or degree to their faith in those truths—the virtue of faith.
As I write this series, I’ll refer to the content of revealed truths—what the Church teaches, as well as the virtue of faith—an individual’s level of trust and belief in those teachings.
By Tom Venzor
As a kid, I absolutely hated the smell of potpourri. Grandma would sometimes have it at her house or it’d be in the craft store that I would occasionally get dragged into. No matter where I would run into the smell, it would make me feel nauseated.
But there is one kind of potpourri that I do like, and that’s a potpourri of public policy issues. The beautiful (and fun) part about being Catholic and working on legislative issues is that on any given week we are working on a mixed bag of policy proposals. As I mentioned in my last column, all things belong to Christ and Christ wants all things restored to Him.
“Pluto Gets the Call,” by Adam Rex, illustrated by Laurie Keller.
Beach Lane Books, New York, 2019, 48 pages, Grades 2-4.
By Fr. Justin Fulton
Back in the day, I used to work for an insurance carrier where I would investigate, evaluate, and negotiate settlements on auto accidents and totaled out vehicles. If an accident produced a car that could not be repaired physically or economically, I would negotiate a deal to establish a pre-loss value on the car.
“Heart of a Samurai,” by Margi Preus.
Amulet Books, New York, 2010, 301 pages, Grades 5-8.
By Fr. Justin Fulton
We’ve been getting our share of snow, slush, fog, and cold lately. It’s winter in Nebraska.
By Tom Venzor
As I write this column, the Nebraska Legislature has completed seven days of its 60-day legislative session. However, once you read this, they will have completed 11 days of its 60-day session.
In these seven days, 314 legislative bills and 11 legislative resolutions have been introduced.
“Benno and the Night of the Broken Glass,”
by Meg Wiviott, illustrated by Josee Bisaillon.
Kar-Ben Publishers, Minneapolis, 2010, 32 pages, Grades 5 and higher.
By Fr. Justin Fulton
Good ol’ New Year’s Resolutions. Congratulations to all who make them and keep them! They can be fun. They can be a kick in the face.
I guess the only advice I have for those who make a New Year’s Resolution: don’t make them until after the Super Bowl. Seriously. With football bowl season and then the Super Bowl, it seems that food, goodies, sloth, and gluttony derail a lot of resolutions no further than a month into the year. So that is my nugget of wisdom: don’t make a New Year’s Resolution until after the Super Bowl.
By Tom Venzor
Reminder: Tomorrow (Saturday, Jan. 18) is the annual Pro-Life Mass, which takes place right before the annual Nebraska Walk for Life. The Mass will be at St. Mary Church in Lincoln (just north of the State Capitol) and begins at 9 a.m. The Walk starts on the north steps of the State Capitol and begins at 10 a.m. Join thousands of your pro-life friends to pray and peacefully protest for an end to abortion.
The internet was buzzing last week with news that actress Michelle Williams, while accepting a Golden Globe award for her latest film, credited her success to her so-called right to abort a baby. While she didn’t share details about her baby or her circumstances at the time, she said, “I wouldn’t have been able to [be successful] without employing a woman’s right to choose.” To make matters worse, Williams celebrated her abortion on the Golden Globe stage while visibly pregnant. Thank God this child isn’t “standing in the way” of her career.
“All in a Drop: How Antony van Leeuwenhoek Discovered an Invisible World,”
by Lori Alexander, illustrated by Vivien Mildenberger.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Boston, 2019, 93 pages, Grades 5-7.
By Fr. Justin Fulton
The other morning I made a comment about a pet peeve of mine: kissing white stoles, lectionary pages, and altar cloths during Mass while wearing cherry ChapStick, thereby leaving a cherry mark on everything.
By Bob Sullivan
Do you know a Catholic who disagrees with the Church? Most of us do. It isn’t easy to agree with the Church all the time.
By Tom Venzor
By the time you read this, the legislature will have already checked off three days from its 60-day legislative session. However, I’m writing this column three days before the legislature even begins. While Charles Dickens was able to write about Christmas yet to come and help out ol’ Ebenezer Scrooge, I can’t say that I’ve yet mastered writing about the Legislature yet to come. So, I’ll save you my attempts to describe the future. Instead, let’s talk about two upcoming events you should put on your calendar and, of course, attend!
“Shadow on the Mountain,” by Margi Preus.
Amulet Books, New York, 2012, 286 pages, Grades 7-9.
By Fr. Justin Fulton
There is nothing more frustrating than not being able to communicate or talk. When one loses their voice, one becomes frustrated, angry, and perhaps tends toward helplessness. We see this a lot when a new woman comes to us at St. Gianna’s Women’s Homes. Many women lose their voices when they are victims of domestic abuse. We attempt to help them realize their dignity and strength. And with God’s grace and time, these women get back up on their feet, fight for themselves, become confident, regain their voices, and begin living greatly.
By Fr. Justin Fulton
As we end this year we look back at how the goodness of God and Christ’s Light shined through the darkness of the terrible floods our state weathered in March 2019. We at Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska would like to give voice to some of those who were affected by the floods and helped out by our donors and services.
“Nativity” by Cynthia Rylant.
Simon and Shuster, New York, 2017, 32 pages, K-1.
By Fr. Justin Fulton
Peace to you.
On behalf of the employees, staff, volunteers, benefactors and Board of Directors of Catholic Social Services, I want to wish each and every one of you a blessed, safe, and Merry Christmas!
By Bob Sullivan
There was a time, not long ago, when every Christian faith in America considered contraception to be a sin. Even the secular government prohibited it by law. That began to change in the early 1930s. By 1930, when the Anglican Church decided to leave the issue up to the individual consciences of each Anglican, the writing was on the wall. That was a big change to a teaching of Christianity which was 20 centuries old by that time.
By Fr. Justin Fulton
For the first time in my 38 years of existence, I put up my own Christmas tree this year. I found it to be very life-giving. It was a good respite after the Thanksgiving holiday and I also decorated the fireplace and hung a stocking in my basement apartment.
By Tom Venzor
When I was working in youth ministry in Schuyler, I frequently encountered teenagers who went from living without a care in the world to carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders. At first glance, the reason for this emotional and behavioral shift was rarely evident to me.
“O Christmas Tree,” by Vashanti Rahaman, pictures by Frane Lessac.
Boyds Mills Press, Honesdale, Pennsylvania, 1996, 32 pages, K-2.
By Fr. Justin Fulton
Be at Peace
Be at peace. Do not look forward in fear to the changes of life; rather look to them with full hope as they arise. God, whose very own you are, will deliver you from out of them. He has kept you hitherto, and He will lead you safely through all things; and when you cannot stand it, God will bury you in his arms.
Dear Readers:
It is hard to believe that another year has flown by. The books on this list were reviewed since the end of 2018 and throughout 2019.
It has been a pleasure offering these fine titles to you and your family. I feel honored to review children’s books for the Southern Nebraska Register and look forward to another delightful year in 2020. Children’s books are wonderful Christmas and birthday presents and I hope that some of the titles on this year’s list will serve as family gifts.
By Tom Venzor
It’s that time of year again where I get to make some “clever” comment about how Advent is not only a time to prepare for the coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, but is also a time to prepare for the coming of the Nebraska Legislature!
By Bob Sullivan
In my last column, I discussed how an imbalance in the powers of the soul: intellect, will, and the passions, coupled with a deformed conscience, can lead good and smart people to support or advocate for abortion.
Like Planned Parenthood’s efforts to popularize abortion, LGBT advocates and lobbyists such as the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) portray homosexuality as noble and often morally superior to heterosexuality. Like the abortion-supporting doctors, much of this involves the powers of the soul and the conscience.
Before I continue, it is always necessary to clarify that same-sex attraction is not a sin, nor is it immoral. We all have temptations and desires which are contrary to God’s plan (natural and divine law).
By Tom Venzor
A couple weeks ago I reflected on one reason why Christianity is beautiful: Christianity is a faith rooted in history. Christianity is a faith that immediately allows us to learn from past human experience. In Scripture, we see the stories of faith of those who followed God with all their heart, mind, and soul, those who were unwilling to compromise their devotion to the Lord for the passing things of this world.
“Eloise at Christmastime,”
by Kay Thompson, illustrated by Hilary Knight.
Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers, New York, 1958, 56 pages, K-3.
By Fr. Justin Fulton
Peace to you.
On behalf of the employees, staff, volunteers, benefactors and Board of Directors of Catholic Social Services, I want to wish each and every one of you a blessed, safe, and happy Thanksgiving!
By Bob Sullivan
In my last column, I discussed the powers of the soul: intellect, will, and passions. I also discussed the conscience. When our intellect, will, and passions are in proper proportion, and when our conscience is well-formed, we make decisions and engage in behavior which is oriented toward God, pleasing to Him, and consistent with the way and the end for which we were created. This brings us authentic peace and joy in this life, and perfect peace and joy in Eternal Life.
Yet we all sin. In fact, we are actually inclined to sin, which means that we tend to lean toward sin instead of toward virtue in many situations each day. This is the result of original sin. Although original sin is washed away by our baptism, we still live with an inclination to sin called concupiscence. Concupiscence causes us to yearn for or desire things which range from being slightly evil to very evil. It also causes us to yearn for too much of the lesser goods in life, thereby turning a good into something sinful (gluttony, addiction, obsession).
By Tom Venzor
Every year since I’ve been the Nebraska Catholic Conference Executive Director, I have written a column at this point in the liturgical year reflecting on the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, and how this Solemnity can and should guide our politics. Well, every year, except for my first year. But don’t fault me for rookie mistakes.
“Encyclopedia of the Presidents: Andrew Johnson,” by Zachary Kent.
Children’s Press, Chicago, 1989, 100 pages, Grades 4-6.
Impeachment of a president creates a crisis in the United States. It is the constitutional process by which the Congress of the United States decides whether the president has committed “high crimes and misdemeanors.” While these high crimes and misdemeanors are not defined in the Constitution, they are understood to be serious crimes like treason, bribery or abuse of the office of the presidency.
By Fr. Justin Fulton
We, in this country, in this generation, are — by destiny rather than by choice — the watchmen on the walls of world freedom. We ask, therefore, that we may be worthy of our power and responsibility, that we may exercise our strength with wisdom and restraint, and that we may achieve in our time and for all time the ancient vision of “peace on earth, good will toward men.” That must always be our goal, and the righteousness of our cause must always underlie our strength. For as was written long ago: “except the Lord keep the city, the watchmen waketh but in vain.”
-President John F. Kennedy, Remarks Intended for Delivery at the Dallas Trade Mart, Never Given. Nov. 22 1963.
By Tom Venzor
Being a Christian is beautiful for many reasons.
Chief among these reasons: Christianity is a faith rooted in history. Every Christian has access to an experience well beyond their own experience which can easily be constrained by the circumstances of one’s own life.
“Eruption! Volcanoes and the Science of Saving Lives”
by Elizabeth Rusch, photographs by Tom Uhlman.
Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 2013, 76 pages, Grades 7-9.
By Fr. Justin Fulton
This weekend here in Nebraska, a timeless ritual will take place. In the wee hours of Saturday morning, dads and moms and some of their children, friends old and new, co-workers, neighbors, old college roommates, high school buddies and people all over will wake up and slam coffee, bundle up and place on some blaze orange and head out into the country.
“Squanto and the First Thanksgiving,” by Sarah Albee Kessel, illustrated by Lisa Donze.
Carolrhoda Books, Minneapolis, 1983, 48 pages, Grades 3-5.
By Fr. Justin Fulton
Growing up, I always loved this time of year. I always looked forward to the binding spirit of patriotism that would bring my hometown of Auburn together. This time was always remembered as a solemn time, remembering the birth of the United States Marine Corps Nov. 10 and then celebrating all veterans on Veterans Day Nov. 11.
By Bob Sullivan
I’m going to get a little philosophical here, but be patient, because it sets up the answers to some puzzling questions.
By Tom Venzor
Walker Percy, the acclaimed Southern novelist and Catholic, once said: “In this society, which is post-Christian, post-modern... there is no coherent theory of man.”
“The Ranger’s Apprentice: The Ruins of Gorlan,” by John Flanagan
Philomel Books, New York, 2005, 249 pages, Grades 5-8.
By Fr. Justin Fulton
One of the hallmarks of living in Nebraska is the automatic guarantee of being a Nebraska Husker football fan. It seems when you are born in this state, you get weighed and measured, you get your fingerprints and Social Security number, and then you get a Big Red Foam Finger and a husk of corn.
Whether you are a Husker fan or not, if you are in Nebraska you are inundated with the hysteria that is Husker football.
By Tom Venzor
“An authentic faith…always involves a deep desire to change the world[.]”
These words of Pope Francis from Evangelii Gaudium (“The Joy of the Gospel”) echo the desire of Jesus Christ for all lay members of the Church. These words were also at the core of the pontificate of John Paul II whose feast day we celebrated Tuesday.
“Leaf Man,” by Lois Ehlert. Harcourt Inc., New York, 2005, 40 pages, K-2.
By Fr. Justin Fulton
Fall shows off its brilliance and the beauty of nature is on full display. Foliage, football, festivals, harvest, marching bands, hayrack rides and family bring out the best smiles and laughter of life. And then at the end of October, we see leaves falling and trees becoming bare. We see life passing before our eyes. Trees are empty, the harvest is picked, and it seems death has invaded the land.
In the Church we see this in our Liturgical life as well. We celebrate the miracle of the Paschal Mystery being lived through His Church as we feast on All Saints Day. Then we pray for all deceased as we solemnly encounter All Souls Day. We are called to pray and sacrifice in a special way during November as we realize we too will return to dust. And we pray there will be others who pray for us when we depart from this earthly life.
By Tom Venzor
“As Catholics, we are called to cherish, defend, and protect those who are most vulnerable, from the beginning of life to its end, and at every point in between.”
These are the powerful introductory words found at www.respectlife.org, the homepage for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ 2019 Respect Life Month efforts.
“Other Words for Home” by Jasmine Warga.
Harper and Collins Publishers, New York, 2019, 342 pages, Grades 4-7.
By Fr. Justin Fulton
Friendship is a beautiful gift. When one is newly born, one is born into a community of friendship and love. A baby has a mom and a dad. Relationship is natural, needed, and is a gift. That is the way God designed it. It shows us naturally we all need community.
By Tom Venzor
In my last column, I discussed Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue. This is a legal case which will be heard by the Supreme Court of the United States (“SCOTUS”) sometime this Fall. The main issue in Espinoza is whether it is unconstitutional to discriminate against religious believers and institutions from receiving public funds that other people and institutions may generally receive.
“I Can Read: Martin Luther King Jr., A Peaceful Leader,” by Sarah Albee, illustrated by Chin Ko.
Harper Collins Publishers, 2018, 32 pages, Grades 2-3.
By Fr. Justin Fulton
You ever get tired of polls and statistics? (I feel like Andy Rooney off of 60 Minutes.) Statistics and polls: they try to influence you on what to buy, who to vote for, how you should live your life. And then a month or so later all the polls flip and you’re left scratching your head as to why you stressed out over the polls earlier. Statistics and polls. It seems to me they are cooked up sometimes just to make you read a headline or tune in to a show.
Here at CSS we wanted to let everyone know of some true statistics. We also wanted to share our story of what we do in our diocese.
Kendra Espinoza is a single mom with two daughters. Both her daughters transferred out of public school and into a Christian school. Kendra’s youngest daughter struggled to succeed in her public school. Her oldest daughter experienced teasing and occasional bullying from her public school classmates. Kendra also wanted her girls in a school that taught the same Christian values she taught at home.
“brown girl dreaming,” by Jacqueline Woodson
Puffin Books, New York, 2014, 349 pages, Grades 5-7.
By Fr. Justin Fulton
You ever made a smoothie? In the pad where I live, I have an awesome NutriBullet that basically cooks for me. I find it is difficult to cook for one person and sometimes time just does not allow my culinary skills to come to fruition.
By Bob Sullivan
Sometimes knowing what is not happening helps you understand what is happening.
This is a fact with regard to many things in our life, but most certainly within the Catholic faith. There is an abundance of misinformation about the Catholic faith. Some of it is intentional myth developed to attack the faith of Catholics and some of it comes from superstition, laziness, ignorance, or confusion.
By Tom Venzor
The following are adapted remarks from last week’s Bishops’ Pro-Life Banquet. The banquet featured this year’s Gospel of Life Award bestowed on a person who has demonstrated exemplary efforts within the pro-life movement.
“Dear Substitute,” by Liz Garton Scanlon and Audrey Vernick, illustrated by Chris Raschka.
Hyperion, New York, 2018, 40 pages, K-2.
By Fr. Justin Fulton
My first pets growing up were named Thunder and Lightning. They were hamsters. Thunder and Lightning taught the Fulton kids a lot about life. They taught us the need to be cleanly. They taught us that cleaning up living spaces could be hard work—especially hamster cages. They taught us it never does any good to keep people up in the wee hours of night—that hamster wheel churning still makes noise in my mind to this day. And they taught us we all have to say goodbye at some point. Thunder and Lightning both now reside about a foot underground near the clothesline at the ol’ homestead in Auburn. Thunder and Lightning gave us a lot of laughs, a lot of memories, and taught us a lot of responsibility. Pets do that. Pets give us joy.
By Tom Venzor
Earlier this year, the North Dakota Legislature passed into law H.B. 1336. This law required abortionists to tell women seeking an abortion that “it may be possible to reverse the effects of an abortion-inducing drug if she changes her mind.” The law also required that a mother be given information that, if she chose, would connect her with local medical professionals who could help her counteract the effects of abortion-inducing drugs and increase the chances of saving her baby.
If this law sounds familiar, it is because it is. Earlier this year, the Nebraska State Legislature passed a similar law, which went into effect at the end of August.
“Broken Bone China: A Tea Shop Mystery #20,” by Laura Childs.
Berkley Prime Crime, New York, 2019, 315 pages, Grades 7-10.
By Fr. Justin Fulton
I always got a kick out of going to the local barber shop when I was a kid. I’d ride my bike to Louie’s Barber Shop back in my hometown and watch Louie Clark do his craft. And of course, the best entertainment was just chatting away with farmers, classmates, business people, coaches, and friends. And as Louie gave his customers one of his two trademark cuts—a flat-top or an Ivy League—to those who wanted it or did not want it—he would always laugh as he collected his $5. Louie would say, “Well you’re ready for the front row again. You’re looking fresh,” and out the door went his styled-up customer.
By Tom Venzor
In 2014, Elaine and Jonathan found themselves at a dead end. Having journeyed through the legal system, the United States Supreme Court failed to hear their court case.
Elaine and her husband, Jonathan, owned a small business, Elane Photography. In 2006, Elaine was asked by Vanessa Willock to photograph a “commitment ceremony” between her and her same-sex partner. Elaine politely declined. As a faithful Christian, Elaine believed in marriage as a lifelong institution between one man and one woman, and was unable to use her artistic talents to express a message inconsistent with this belief.
“What Is Given From the Heart,” by Patricia C. McKissack, illustrated by April Harrison.
Schwartz and Wade Books, New York, 2019, 40 pages, K-3.
By Fr. Justin Fulton
I keep my nose on the grindstone, I work hard every day
I might get a little tired on the weekend, after I draw my pay
By Bob Sullivan
A few months ago, I devoted four consecutive columns to transubstantiation. In that series I said that there was one Catholic teaching which was so important, so essential, that we are setting our faith, even our salvation, up for disaster if we do not know and understand it.
By Tom Venzor
Labor Day has come and gone. In our own day, the events of yesterday are all too easily forgotten. We are overwhelmed with daily activities, only with more to follow in subsequent days. We are inundated by information through 24-hour news cycles and social media. And so on and so forth. These dynamics of daily life make it difficult—and seemingly impossible—to remember and reflect on the deeper dimensions of life, such as the meaning and dignity of work which ought to be at the heart of not only Labor Day but also our daily lives.
“Perelandra,” by C.S. Lewis.
Simon and Schuster, New York, 1944, 190 pages, Grades 11 and higher.
By Fr. Justin Fulton
Jesus, I Trust in You.
It is pretty easy to say this. It is a lot tougher to live it. In a world of hurt, anxiety, and despair, life is tough. Many people lose hope. Many struggle with faith in God.
Our CSS outreach in Auburn has endured horrific personal tragedies in the last month. On Saturday, July 20, I was notified by the manager of the Auburn thrift store—my aunt Lana Fulton—that she was diagnosed with Stage IV pancreatic cancer, spread to the liver. It was a huge shock.
That same evening of July 20, we learned that Auburn thrift store employee Julie Kriefels’ son Cody was tragically killed in an ATV accident. The community and our agency were rocked.
By Bob Sullivan
Parents who send their children to Catholic schools have always sacrificed. They pay for the education of twice as many children: their child, and a student in the public school system. This is aside from the volunteer hours, the meetings, the extra unexpected fees and costs, the fundraising, sports, band, chorus, cheer, dance, drama, speech, the Walk for Life, the Christmas program, classroom parties, chaperone duties, prom, the March for Life, mission trips, community service, and anything else your child tries. Every parent could be out of the house every night of the week for 10 months of the year. Don’t get me wrong – public school parents have plenty of opportunity to donate their time, talent and treasure to their child’s school, as well.
“The Girl Who Drew Butterflies: How Maria Merian’s Art Changed Science,” by Joyce Sidman.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Boston, 2018, 141 pages, Grades 5-7.
By Tom Venzor
If it weren’t already obvious enough, Planned Parenthood again tipped its hand in recent weeks to reveal its true character: an organization hell-bent on the killing of unborn children, willing to sacrifice any person or program that challenges their relentless focus on abortion. Two sets of recent headlines, both in national news, have brought that character into stark relief.
By Fr. Justin Fulton
August 1999. I vividly remember packing up my ‘91 Dodge Shadow in Auburn and getting ready to fire it up and move to UNL for my freshman year college studies. I was pumped to finally have my “freedom.” I was ready to be an adult.
By Bob Sullivan
Why are Catholic schools not thriving when Catholic schools are free of many of the problems public schools struggle with such as violence, poverty, untreated mental health problems, and other factors which make education very difficult?
Some might claim it is lack of money, lack of resources, lack of leadership, training, etc… I propose it is none of these things. While money, resources, and other things certainly help, they would all fail Catholic schools just as they are failing public education.
By Tom Venzor
In 1969, the Nebraska Catholic Conference was formed. According to one historical recounting, the NCC entered the public policy scene “with a yawn.”
At the time, it was unclear what a Catholic Conference was, what it was intended to accomplish, who its leadership would be, and what, if any, influence it would ultimately have on policy and politics in Nebraska. Fifty years later, experience has proven that the Nebraska Catholic Conference is an influential, professional, and faithful organization committed to the common good, not just for Catholics but for all of society.
“Mozart: Gift of God,” by Demi.
Ignatius Press, San Francisco, 2018, 37 pages, K-3.
Saint Gregory the Great is reputed to have said: “those who sing, pray twice.” Not only do singers use words in their songs, but they also use poetry in their melodies. This accounts for the range of feelings music can invoke.
One of the most important emotions in music is joy. The famous writer/illustrator Demi pays tribute to joy and to the life the composer Mozart in this lovely biography. Entitled “Mozart: Gift of God,” Demi shows us the immense talent of Mozart and how his great love for God lead to his incredible output of operas, sonatas, concertos and Requiem Masses. It is a beautiful book and a delight to read.
By Fr. Justin Fulton
A couple of weeks ago, I had the privilege to travel to my hometown of Auburn, to meet with our wonderful CSS employees who run our community outreach there. We have talented and dedicated staff and I am very proud of them. They live the Gospel daily in their work.
By Bob Sullivan
See Part II in the series here
Looking back on the past three or four centuries, you can see why and how public and Catholic schools have evolved in the U.S. We see that Horace Mann, the father of the American public education system, which he reformed in the 1800s, reformed more than the education system; he reformed much of the American culture.
A significant aspect of that reform was to remove parents as the primary educators of their children on matters of faith and morals and put the public school system in place of the parent. Catholic schools were a way of responding to Mann’s reform by keeping parents in the primary role as educators of their children, preserving the family, and preventing the assimilation of Catholic immigrants and American Catholics into the melting pot of Protestant America.
“Drowned City: Hurricane Katrina and New Orleans,” by Don Brown, author and illustrator.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Boston, 2015, 95 pages, Grades 7-9.
By Fr. Justin Fulton
Greetings to all and especially to anyone from Kalamazoo or Crete who may be reading this column!
On the 4th of July, I was graced to be invited to a party at the home of my wonderful friends Ryan and Kate. I found it a blessing to meet both of their families and it gave me a sense of belonging, warmth and love, and I am very grateful to them and to Almighty God. These young parents are a testament to the parents who raised them and the way they brought them up: faithful, dynamic, fun-loving, loving and Catholic.
By Bob Sullivan
Decades after Horace Mann, the Know Nothing Party and the Potato Famine, small villages and communities in the Midwest were not only using Catholic Bibles in their public schools, they were celebrating Mass in chapels within the public schools.
By Tom Venzor
Coming off the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Religious Freedom Week (June 22-29) is a good time as any to provide a religious freedom development update. The development is a United States Supreme Court decision (American Legion v. American Humanist Association) upholding the constitutionality of a cross monument on public property.
“Refugee,” by Alan Gratz.
Scholastic Press, New York, 2017, 338 pages, Grades 8-10.
Refugees are forced to flee their homelands because of war, ethnic attacks and hatreds. These terrible situations have happened in many nations because of long held angers or greed to possess other countries.
By Fr. Justin Fulton
Would you like to see something scary? Something that you do not see every day? Check out the picture included with this article. Here are a bunch of Lincoln priests wearing regular clothes to a baseball game. Sorry you had to see some of the least fashionable guys on earth!
By Bob Sullivan
Before discussing Catholic schools as they exist today, which comes in part five of this five-part series, it may help to have a very brief overview of the history of education (K-12) in the United States. I’ll leave out a lot, but hopefully it will include enough to give some perspective to the issues facing the Church in Catholic education today.
By Tom Venzor
In our modern culture, religious liberty faces a fundamental problem. Too often, religious liberty is narrowly conceived as ‘special pleading.’ By this, I mean religious liberty is perceived as an avenue by which certain religious views seek special treatment and protections. This applies particularly to religious views which have lost their former cultural and legal influence.
“Baby Monkey, Private Eye,” by Brian Selznick and David Serlin.
Scholastic Press, New York, 2018, 191 pages, Grades 1-3.
By Father Justin Fulton
This is a picture of my niece Cecilia hugging the living blazes out of her teddy bear.
