By Bob Sullivan
Before churches had steeples, they had altars. Altars actually existed before churches as we see in Genesis 8:20 as well as the altars built by patriarchs such as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Moses.
In Christianity, altars have even more significance. If you go to Jerusalem today, you can actually touch the altar of all altars. You find it in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where you can climb the steps to the top of Calvary. Once there, you can kneel on the very spot where we believe Jesus was crucified. Under a Greek Orthodox altar you can reach down and touch the rock of Calvary. When you do this, you are touching an altar because for Jesus, Calvary was the altar.
“Death Comes for the Archbishop: Scholarly Edition” by Willa Cather
University of Nebraska Press, Lincoln, Nebraska, 1999, 315 pages, Grades 9 through adult.
Willa Cather is the most famous author in history from Nebraska. She grew up in Red Cloud and attended the University of Nebraska.
By Tom Venzor
With the stroke of a pen, the U.S. Supreme Court has re-written the meaning of “sex.”
The decision that contains this radical re-write has been called “the Roe v. Wade of religious liberty,” “the Roe v. Wade for transgenderism,” “a striking display of sophistry in service of the spirit of the age,” a “seismic decision,” among many other things. The Court’s decision, Bostock v. Clayton County, will have an immediate and lasting effect on the “clash of orthodoxies” that has played out between the traditional view on marriage and human sexuality and the LGBT rights movement.
By Fr. Justin Fulton
Friends, let me share with you the only homily I will ever give on the 4th of July. It is actually a song. I feel it reminds us of the blessings our good God has given us and it helps us remember those who have died in sacrifice for a cause bigger than themselves.
“Nesting,” by Henry Cole.
Katherine Tegen Books, New York, 2019, 32 pages, K-2.
By Tom Venzor
As summer temperatures arrive and the diocesan newspapers publication deadlines are more infrequent, it becomes increasingly difficult to choose what to write in this column. It seems like these days, newsworthy events come up in the matter of a day—or even an hour. In short, there is much political news to talk about, and too little space. Be that as it may, I’ll strive to offer some, brief commentary, but ultimately invite you to join me in taking time this summer to seek a greater understanding of issues that matter most to us as Catholics.
By Fr. Justin Fulton
Dads show us how to work, protect, sacrifice, pray for, provide for, discipline, and love.
By Fr. Justin Fulton
This week we honored and mourned the lives of American heroes who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in dying for the cause of freedom. Memorial Day. As we paused to celebrate the reality that there are causes worth dying for perhaps Memorial Day provides us with an opportunity for an examination of our own consciences. Do I sacrifice daily? Do I think of others before myself always? What or who would I die for? How do I emulate Jesus and His Sacrifice? Do I know Jesus in the face of the poor?
“Chloe and the Lion,”
by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Adam Rex.
Hyperion Books, New York, 2012, 48 pages, Grades 2-4.
By Bob Sullivan
Perspicuity? What in the heck is that? If you are a convert from a non-Catholic Christian faith, you may know what perspicuity of Scripture is. If you are a cradle Catholic, you probably don’t.
By Tom Venzor
May 24 marked the five-year anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato Si (On Care for Our Common Home). And five years later, we have much yet to learn from this important contribution to the Church’s social teaching tradition. In writing this encyclical, the Holy Father desires to call our attention to the beauty of creation, our place in it, the damage we have inflicted on creation, and the path to restoring our common home in accord with the desires of the One Who created her. While there is much that can be pondered in this encyclical, I humbly offer some brief takeaways for consideration.
“Petunia,” by Roger Duvoisin
Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1950, 32 pages, K-2.
By Fr. Justin Fulton
Let me share a quick story that happened to me last Sunday, Mother’s Day.
By Bob Sullivan
A lot of contemporary thinkers, writers, “life coaches” and motivational speakers tell us we are happiest, healthiest, and most successful when we keep proper balance in our lives.
“The Rhino in Right Field,” by Stacy Dekeyser.
McElderry Books, New York, 2018, 257 pages, Grades 4-7.
By Tom Venzor
Congress and the president have undertaken several relief efforts to offset the impact of coronavirus. Among the most notable efforts have been stimulus checks to individuals and families, paycheck protection for businesses and non-profits, and expansion of unemployment benefits.
By Fr. Justin Fulton
I remember the pride I had when I stood at the podium of my high school class’s commencement exercises in May of 1999.
“The Book Rescuer: How a Mensch from Massachusetts Saved Yiddish Literature for Generations to Come”
By Sue Macy, illustrated by Stacy Innerst
Simon and Schuster, New York, 2019, 48 pages, Grades 3-5.
By Fr. Justin Fulton
Simply put, Jesus Christ—both fully human and fully Divine—was conceived by the Holy Spirit and was born of a human woman, the Virgin Mary. He didn’t fall from the sky. He chose to be born of a woman.
All human life is born from women. Jesus’ human nature was born of a woman.
Is there a higher, more noble, and more dignified role than the vocation of mother? The same way Jesus came to earth, we all came as well... all of us were born of a woman.
By Tom Venzor
Voting Reminder. Before we jump into this week’s column, just a friendly reminder: Nebraska Primary Election Day is May 12.
“Children of the Wild West,” by Russell Freedman.
Scholastic Incorporated, New York, 1983, 104 pages, Grades 4-6.
By Fr. Justin Fulton
May the Peace of the Risen Jesus Christ be with all of you.
I want to share a story with you that our volunteer coordinator in Lincoln, Jeremy Sousek, writes about today. In it, a homeless man wants something simple from his youth. It also shares about the need to talk with someone, the need for friendship, and the need to be Jesus to one another. I want to thank Jeremy for his tireless work at CSS and for sharing this encounter with Christ in the homeless.
By Tom Venzor
It’s the most wonderful time of every other year: election time! May 12 is Primary Election Day for Nebraska. However, for many people, due to coronavirus, Primary Election Day will be a stay-at-home activity done by mail-in ballot. Regardless of how you intend to vote, the Nebraska Catholic Conference is here to help with a voter guide, found at www.NebraskaCatholicVoter.com.
By Bob Sullivan
There is a new reality show which has caught the attention of many. The star is a survivor in the truest sense of the word. He can make a meal appear out of thin air, bad weather does not slow him down a bit, and regardless of the terrain, he always makes it to his destination with the greatest of ease. And how about his interpersonal skills? He’s the type of guy you either love or hate.
“The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street,”
by Karina Yan Glaser.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Boston, 2017, 311 pages, Grades 4-6.
By Fr. Justin Fulton
There is a wonderful lesson to be learned in John’s account of the Resurrection in Chapter 20 of his Gospel. We read this Gospel account at Easter Sunday morning Mass. Do you notice who the first person is to believe that Christ is Risen from the dead?
By Tom Venzor
Let’s cut to the chase this week: four important points!
“The Mysterious Benedict Society,” by Trenton Lee Stewart.
Little, Brown & Company, New York, 2007, 485 pages, Grades 6-8.
By Fr. Justin Fulton
This Litany has been in this column before. That’s okay. I love it. I feel it should be prayed every day. I would like to share our thanksgiving to God and to you again.
By Bob Sullivan
We have now completed a four-part series called The Types of Faith. Hopefully you have not only enjoyed the series, but it has caused you to think more deeply about your own trust in the teachings of the Church (the content of revealed truths), but even more, it has caused you to examine and pray for your virtue of faith when you pray the rosary (hopefully each day), and at Mass.
As Catholics, we are not called to a blind faith. We have many gifts which include the ability to reason, think, understand, and grow in wisdom. However, there are many teachings which we do not fully understand. Having trust in something we understand is easy. Our virtue of faith is challenged when we arrive at a teaching we do not like.
by Tom Venzor
Our world and lives are changing by the hour, it seems. Every day, we get news of more events canceled and plans changed. But as of the time I write this, our May 12 primary elections are still scheduled (with a few adjustments).
The Last Supper. St. Matthew, Chapter 26; St. Mark, Chapter 14; St. Luke, Chapter 22;
1 Cor 11:23-26 and St. John Chapter 13-Chapter 17. All Bibles
The most famous supper in the history of the world took place in Jerusalem on the Thursday of Holy Week. At the Last Supper, Our Lord prepared the Apostles for His Passion, Death and Resurrection.
By Fr. Justin Fulton
Only Jesus Christ can take manure and make it a fertilizing agent, giving growth to seeds which will fuel and feed His children.
“Moonbird: A Year On The Wind With The Great Survivor B95,”
by Philip Hoose.
Farrar Straus Giroux, New York, 2012, 148 pages, Grades 7 and older.
By Fr. Justin Fulton
You all remember the “flea-kicker”?
This was Matt Davison’s reception of Scott Frost’s pass in the 1997 Nebraska football season against Missouri. Sure, you remember it: Frost took some time, threw a bullet into the end zone, the ball ricocheted, and as it fell Shevin Wiggins put a shin on it, popped it back into the air and a Tecumseh boy named Matt Davison dove right before the ball hit the ground, caught it, and scored a TD for Nebraska. The Huskers went on to beat Mizzou in overtime, remained undefeated, and later won a national championship.
Perhaps it wasn’t drawn up perfectly. But in the end, joy was released into the Husker world. Joy came into the world in the most surprising and unexpected of ways.
By Bob Sullivan
In the third segment of this series, Father Rolling reminded us of a great quote from G.K. Chesterton: “A Catholic is a person who has plucked up courage to face the incredible and inconceivable idea that something else may be wiser than he is.”
By Tom Venzor
And, like that, seemingly overnight, the coronavirus crisis has swept our communities, state, and nation. From being out and about with family and friends, to a brief moment of exercising caution, to abiding by government recommendations to stay-at-home for the sake of the public health, we are in the midst of a transformation as we speak. This is not a transformation limited to one dimension of society, like the economy or healthcare. It is a transformation that will be all-consuming. The transformation will reach to every dimension of our existence, spiritual, social, political, moral, and otherwise.
“Wanda Gag: The Girl Who Loved to Draw,” by Deborah Kogan Ray.
Viking Press, New York, 2008, 40 pages, K-2.
By Fr. Justin Fulton
All of Jesus’ healings... lepers, the blind, the mute. Reaching out to the woman at the well. Forgiving sin. Going to the margins everywhere in the Gospel... It is all about reaching out to the isolated and outcast, healing, and bringing back the isolated to living in community.
Even Christ on the Cross… isolated and alone in society.
by Tom Venzor
Update on Nebraska Legislature: Due to CDC guidelines limiting the size of gatherings, Speaker Jim Scheer has postponed the legislative session. The Legislature will soon convene for the limited purpose of passing some emergency appropriations to respond to the coronavirus. Beside that occasion, it is unclear when our State Senators will return to conduct normal business. Pray for all our elected officials—federal, state, and local—who have been and will be for some time regularly engaged in making difficult decisions to protect society from a devastating outbreak of the coronavirus.
“Dog Diaries: Sparky,” by Kate Klimo, illustrated by Tim Jessell
Random House, New York, 149 pages, Grades 3-5.
By Bob Sullivan
In the third column in this series, we continue our discussion of trust in the teachings of the Church with Father Matthew Rolling, academic dean and professor of philosophy at St. Gregory the Great Seminary in Seward.
As you might have noticed through the first two segments, the teachings of the Church – the content of revealed truths – remains unchanging, but we as individual Catholics tend to change and grow (or ebb) in our knowledge, adherence, and trust in those truths as we live out our lives. This is the virtue of faith.
by Fr. Justin Fulton
St. Dismas is a wonderful saint to pray to. He is known as “The Good Thief.” He was next to Jesus at the Crucifixion.
By Tom Venzor
A couple weeks ago I wrote about LB814, a legislative bill to ban the barbaric practice of dismemberment abortion. Dismemberment abortion involves tearing apart, limb by limb, a living human being in utero. LB814, introduced and prioritized by Sen. Suzanne Geist of Lincoln, has an important road ahead and your action is urgently needed.
“The Three Little Pigs,” by James Marshall
Puffin Books, New York, 1989, 32 pages, K-3.
By Bob Sullivan
In my first column of this series on faith, we discussed the difference between the content of revealed truth and the virtue of faith, which is the trust or faith in those truths. In this column we will continue to discuss matters relevant to our trust in the teachings of the Church with Father Matthew Rolling, academic dean and professor of philosophy at St. Gregory the Great Seminary in Seward.
By Fr. Justin Fulton
Back in the day I remember at our old house on 16th Street we had a TV that had five channels: 3, 6, 7, 10, and 12.
At the Fulton household, we watched the news a lot and our pre-school consisted of Sesame Street and Mr. Rogers Neighborhood. For a Friday treat we would watch M*A*S*H* or Magnum P.I. It was a pretty good time growing up.
By Tom Venzor
Last week, the Legislature reached Day 30, the halfway mark for this session’s legislative activity. Of course, by the time you read this column, the Legislature will have completed Day 36 of legislative activity. In terms of days left on the calendar, the Legislature is very much on the downhill, with just over 20 days left before Day 60.
“A Piglet Named Mercy,” by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Chris Van Dusen.
Candlewick Press, Somerville, Massachusetts, 2019, 32 pages, K-2.
By Fr. Justin Fulton
One rite of passage in this world is the phenomenon of getting your senior class pictures taken. When people are preparing to graduate from high school, they get their pictures taken, to be given away and memorialized in a high school yearbook.
I remember well my senior pictures taken back in October 1998. In a glistening array of flannel, Dockers khakis, Doc Marten shoes, Auburn baseball uniforms, a homecoming crown, and some Levi’s blue jeans, I suffered through a two-hour photo examination akin to Purgatory. Those pictures, I hope, are destroyed and gone for the ages.
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.
