GUEST COLUMNIST

I prayed the rosary seven times as I sat in a small cinderblock room watching Joe gasp for air. He finally died one hour and 58 minutes later. In that time of prayer came oneness with Mary in my heart. I realized that no amount of screaming or pleading by me was going to stop what was unfolding. I, too, had to trust in God.

“Peace be with you,” Jesus says in the Gospel reading for Pentecost Sunday (Jn 20:19). Peace — as in harmony, or even as in a lack of noise — is not exactly plentiful these days. Certainly not in an election year, when cacophony seems to be the (dis)order of the day.

Would you prefer your state taxes go to serving needy individuals in our community? Why not take a “rebate” of up to $400 for our diocesan Catholic charitable organizations such as St. Vincent de Paul, Catholic Charities, and Foundation for Senior Living?

As the first full block of the “Together Let Us Go Forth ~ Juntos Sigamos Adelante” campaign ends, I am excited to share good news.

I was an undergrad in philosophy at The Catholic University of America when I had the opportunity to attend an off-campus lecture by Rev. Alexander Schmemann, dean of St. Vladimir Orthodox Seminary in New York and one of the most eminent English-speaking theologians in the Orthodox world.

On the occasion of the Year of Faith, the following is the second in a series of “letters” from a demonic supervisor to his underling regarding a plan to dismantle a family and ruin souls. It is not an original idea, but a variation on a theme begun by the great C.S. Lewis in his classic satirical book, “The Screwtape Letters.”

Dear Becky, I’m writing to share something that will astonish you. You won’t believe me now — much you will have to dissect, argue with, and hear again. You’ll bark at me, roll your eyes, snicker. You’ll probably storm off.

The call to a change of heart and a change of life was a hallmark of the ministry of Jesus, of His forerunner, John the Baptist, and of His apostles.

On the occasion of the Year of Faith, the following is the first in a series of “letters” from a demonic supervisor to his underling regarding a plan to dismantle a family and ruin souls. It is not an original idea, but a variation on a theme begun by the great C.S. Lewis in his classic satirical book, “The Screwtape Letters.”

In the aftermath of Jesus’ violent death by crucifixion, His disciples were left shaken and doubtful. The risen Jesus’ appearances to His disciples moved them from fear to hope, and from doubt to faith.