This week we celebrate Catholic Schools Week. This annual celebration of the value and success of Catholic Schools certainly reminds many of us, myself included, of the wonderful (and perhaps not so wonderful) times we had in our various Catholic School experiences. Sadly both of the Catholic grammar schools I attended are now closed (St. Francis of Assisi, Allentown, PA and St. John the Baptist, Stiles, PA). But my HS alma mater, Allentown Central Catholic High School, is still doing very well. Read more.
As we reflect this week on the sanctity of human life my mind is working in two very distinct directions. First, of course, is the issue of abortion as it continues to divide our country, evoking strong emotions and responses on all sides of this issue. As this weekend (22nd) we note the fiftieth anniversary of the Roe v Wade decision that legalized abortion in all fifty states, we also note the reversal of that decision last summer in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. The controversy remains, and many states, including our own, have taken abortion rights further than ever before. We continue our diligent prayers and support for the protection of all life, from conception until natural death. Monday is the observance of Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children. Read more.
As you can see we have returned to Ordinary Time, the festivity of the Christmas Season is now behind us, and we await the arrival of Lent on February 22. We are already preparing for the Lenten journey. As part of the initial stages of preparation, we are going to return with the Soup and Scripture format we used prior to the pandemic period. This will include Stations of the Cross on Wednesday followed by soup and then followed by the Scripture reflection. There are other programs being formulated, and all will be announced prior to the beginning of Lent. Read more.
Hopefully everyone is well-recovered from the hectic holidays past and prepared now, for the craziness that January can bring. The weather alone over the past few weeks has certainly kept us on our toes. Read more.