A Message from the Editor
There are many factors that can contribute to Mass Murder in the United States... Racial hatred by speeches and tweets; mental illness, the rise of White Supremacy violence, blocking of gun control legislation, lack of a red flag gun law, fear of the NRA, the internet, the use of automatic weapons designed for war all contribute to these Mass Murders.
Members of Congress and the White House have failed to protect us and must share in the moral responsibility for these deaths.
Special Prayer
A LITANY OF PAIN
Parkland, Fl.
Orlando, FL
Blacksburg,VI
Newtown,CN
Sutherland Springs, TE
Las Vegas, NE
Dayton OH.
El Paso,TX
Let my eyes stream with tears might day, without rest,
Over the great destruction which overwhelms the virgin daughter of my people,
over her incurable wound.
If I walk out into the field,
Look! those slain by the sword; If I enter the city, look! Victims of famine.
Both prophet and priest ply their trade in a land they do not know.
Have you really cast Judah off?
Is Zion loathsome to you?
Why have you struck us a blow that cannot be healed?
We wait for peace, to no avail’ or a time of healing, but terror comes instead. We turn to you and to you alone in our distress. Help us Lord, sustain us, rescue us, forgive us, Redeem us in Christ Jesus your Son.
(Jeremiah 14)
Submitted by Father David O. Brown, O.S.M.
A Quote to Remember
Indifference kills. It's like telling someone, 'You're dead to me,' because you've killed them in your heart. Not loving is the first step to killing, and not killing is the first step to loving.
by Pope Francis
Interviews
General Articles/Commentaries
Which Side Are We On? by E. J. Dionne Jr. Commonweal
President of United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Domestic Justice Issued a Statement After a Tragic Shooting in Dayton, Ohio by Cardinal Daniel DiNardo USCCB
Pope compares nationalistic rhetoric to Hitler-speak by CathNews
Editorial: American carnage, revisited by NCR Editorial Staff National Catholic Reporter
El Paso, Dayton and Gilroy Shootings, Gun Safety and White Supremacism by Ejaz Naqvi MD Patheos
How the Catholic Church could help lead a gun control movement by Michael J. O’Loughlin America
El Paso shooting and the rise of eco-fascism. The more we can unite social and environmental justice in a program of hope, the greater the difficulty for fascists seeking a hearing by'Jeff Sparrow Crux
Clergy protest outside Mitch McConnell’s office, demand action on gun violence by Jack Jenkins Religion News Service
Dioceses in Texas and New Mexico unite in prayer after El Paso shooting by Rhia Guidos Catholic News Service/Crux
Pope Francis Offers Prayers, Spiritual Closeness to US Shooting Victims and Families by Jim Fair Crux
Pope Francis: ‘A country must be sovereign, not closed’ by Deacon Greg Kandra Patheos
Editorial: American carnage, revisited by NCR Editorial Staff National Catholic Reporter Link to White Supremacy and Gun Violence and Racial Challenges
Prayers and peace vigils on anniversaries of Hiroshima and Nagasaki by Independent Catholic News Link to (Nuclear Challenges
Remembering the day when the ‘politics of personal Destruction began by Phil LawlerCatholicCulture.org Link to Fear, Hate, Prejudice, and Discrimination against Others
Evangelizing on Twitter: A tweeting priest’s experience by Zelda Caldwell Aleteia
Op-Ed: There’s no magic bullet for Alzheimer’s, but there are ways to keep your brain healthy by Gary Rosenberg Los Angeles Times Link to Alzheimer ’s disease
Cupich: 'Never forget' policies that led to Holocaust began with words by Catholic News Service/National Catholic Reporter Link to Antisemitism and Racial Challenges and Fear, Hate, Prejudice, and Discrimination against Others
America is addicted to guns, and we're in denial by Father Daniel P Horan, OFM National Catholic Reporter
He Was Told To Go Back To Africa. Instead, He May Go To The U.S. Senate. by Ryan Grim The Intercept Link to Racial Challenges
7 Trials and tribulations that Jim Caviezel faced playing Jesus Christ by Cerith Gardiner Aleteia
Gregory: Offensive speech, actions 'growing plague' and 'must end' by Catholic Standard/Crux Link to Racial Challenges, and White Supremacy, and Alt-Right. and Fear, Hate, Prejudice, and Discrimination against Others
Shooting at California Food Festival Leaves Community in Shock by Currents News Link to Murder and to Gun Violence
5 things about the Chicago Archdiocese’s uncertain financial future by Chicago Tribune staff Chicago Tribune
The Left’s Race War; There are some very bad people on both sides of the race obsession by James Kirchick Tablet
Catholic school expels student posting racist videos threatening black people by Associated Press/Crux
Maine's pro-life movement 're-vitalized' to oppose abortion, assisted suicide laws by Christine Rousselle, Angelus News CNA
Large number of Dutch churches to close in near future by Michiel van de Kamp and Katholiek Nieuwsblad Crux
What Is Social Justice? by J. J. Ziegler The Catholic World Report Link to Social Justice
Nigeria: Prayers and protests after another priest is murdered, others abducted by Independent Caraholic News
Guardian Angel sisters in Mexico risk safety to aid often-traumatized migrants by Soli Salgado Global Sisters Report Link to General United States Immigration Challenges
Baltimore’s Archbishop Lori pushes back against Trump Twitter rant by Michael J. O’Loughlin America Link to United States Politics
Bishop: New Jersey assisted suicide law will cause ‘undue pressure’ on elderly by Christopher White Crux Link to Suicide/Assisted Suicide/Euthanasia and to Elder Outreach/Services
What kind of relationship between the Church and politics in Africa? by Donald Zagoré, SMA La Croix International Link to African Challenges
Chile: Jesuits publish inquiry results, confirm abuses by famed priest by Junno Arocho Esteves Catholic News Service/National Catholic Reporter
Responding to mental health crises through social media by CathNews Link to Mental Health/Illness and to Social Media
Trump to Profile Reporters, Immigrants, Mentally Ill and Gamers? by Patrick L Green Patheos
Alarming Surge in Drug-Resistant HIV Uncovered. The drug-resistant form of the virus has been detected at unacceptable levels across Africa, Asia and the Americas by Emiliano Rodríguez Mega Nature Link to HIV/AIDS
Editorial: Cardinal Burke is a living symbol of a failed version of church by NCR Editorial Staff National Catholic Reporter
The Facts of the Matter: Trump and the post truth era by Inas Younis Patheos
Chaldean Christian deported by Trump administration dies in Iraq by Jack Jenkins National Catholic Reporter/Religion News Service
The Trump Administration Is Using the Full Power of the U.S. Surveillance State Against Whistleblowers by Micah Lee The Intercept
Argentina pro-lifers aim to trigger a global ‘light blue wave’ by Inés San Martín Crux
Opioid crisis reaches all corners of West Virginia, leaving few untouched by Colleen Rowan, Catholic News Service/National Catholic Reporter Link to Substance Use/Addiction and to Parish Challenges
Zambian bishops call for 'fresh start' as country's crises unfold by Taqanda Karombo National Catholic Reporter Link to African Challenges
Exhibit brings Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel to Christ Cathedral byJohn Burger Aleteia
Leonardo da Vinci: A Universal Man by Giancarlo Pani SJ La Civiltà Cattolica Link to Spirituality and Art
Bishop Barron and Jordan Peterson have something to teach us about evangelization by Bill McCormick, S.J. America Link to Evangelization
Soup kitchen has fed hungry in Uptown for over 40 years by Michelle Martin Chicago Catholic Link to Poverty
Roma locuta? Ecclesiology of the Vatican summit on sexual abuse The Church's current response to sex abuse is still in its early stages, and that is not just the fault of the Vatican or the ecclesiastical hierarchy by Massimo Faggioli La Croix International Link to Clerical Sexual Violence Against Minors
One Cheer for George Willis ‘The Conservative Sensibility’ by Bishop Robert Barron The Pilot
Ex-seminarian tells sordid story of papal ally’s Argentine past by Inés San Martín Crux
Former refugees mark 75th anniversary of the only US safe haven during Holocaust by Renee K. Gadoua Religion News Service Link to The Holocaust
Philippine archdiocese joins battle against killer dengue Govt declares epidemic with at least 622 people having died since start of year by Ronald Reyes,UCANews.com
Philippine bishops submit response to sedition charges. Prelates refuse to attend preliminary probe into charges of plotting to oust President Duterte by Joe Torres UCASNews.com
Catholic Extension announces aid for families of deported breadwinners by Arlington Herald/Catholic News Service
God is calling us to break violence’s stranglehold on our world by Tony Magliano Acting Francisca Link to General Violence Challenges
Knights of Columbus launch new initiative: Helping refugees at border by Kathleen N. Hattrup Aleteia
‘It transcends the abortion debate.’ The hospital program for parents facing tragic prenatal diagnoses by Kerry Weber America Link to Other ProLife Challenges
Americans don’t trust the media. Here’s how we can fix that. by Richard G. Jones America Link to Media
The Observant Faithful find the Tears of St. Lawrence by Christopher M. Graney Sacred Space Astronomy Link to Astronomy
Vocation, mission of ‘people of God’ focus of consultation’s statement by Julie Asher Crux Link to Vocations
‘Let our voices be heard’: March against immigration raids by Jeff Amy Crux
Level of trust after Christchurch mosque massacre by CathNews New Zealand
Jeffrey Epstein Conspiracy Theories and Nietzsche’s Monsters by Patrick L Green Patheos
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Please send a donation for help save the life of my close friend Alwin Rex in India. Please read the article How do we love our neighbor as ourselves? and send a donation of $10.00 or more to help cover his healthcare costs to Father Thomas Ayyaneth, Syro Malankara Catholic Eparchial Chancery,1500 DePaul Street, Elmont, New York 11003, USA with a notation that the donation is for Alwin Rex. Father Thomas will process donations and send them to his pastor. Thank you Gordon Nary Editor, Profiles in Catholicism
When Children are Set Free by Father Shay Cullen Preda Foundation
Book Reviews/Commentaries
The Voice of the Church at Prayer by : Uwe Michael Lang Amazon.com Reviewed by Eileen Quinn Knight, Ph.D.
Chances Are… by Richard Russo Reviewed by Maurice Timothy Reidy America
Film Reviews/Commentaries
The Irishman Commentary by Irish Central Staff Irish Central
The Lion (Philosopher) King Reviewed by McCreery, SJ America
Skin Reviewed by Emily McFarlan Miller Religion News Service
TV Reviews/Commentaries
The Two Popes Commentary by Deacon Greg Kandra Patheos
Derry Girls Commentary by Father Jake Martin, SJ America
Feasting with the Saints
August 29 Jean-Baptiste Colbert's Birthday Link to Feasting with the Saints and other Famous Catholics
Prayers
A Prayer for Those Who Have Suffered Abuse by the Clergy
God, in your providential love you comfort those who are wounded and afflicted.
Hear our prayers for those who have suffered abuse by those in their families or by those entrusted with their care.
In a special way, we pray for those who suffered abuse by clergy who betrayed a sacred trust and who were meant to stand for your loving presence in their lives.
May those who have been hurt find support and encouragement in communities of faith, hope, and love.
May they discover healing in genuinely loving and caring relationships.
May they reclaim hope for themselves.
May they be strengthened and confirmed in their resolve to set things aright.
May they rest in you who make all things work for the good. Amen
by Father Louis Cameli Profiles in Catholicism
A Prayer to End Gun Violence
Lord Jesus, as you approached the city of Jerusalem,
Before your passion,
As your people waved palms in your honor,
You saw the city and wept over it because you
Loved it.
You knew of the violence and chaos you would suffer
In that beloved city
still you loved it and wept over it.
Lord Jesus, look upon our cities, weep over them,
Love them and protect them.
Weep over us and strengthen us as we suffer
Violence and chaos.
Weep over us and love us.
Lord Jesus, weep over us and love us. (See Lk 19)
by Father David O. Brown, O.S.M.. Profiles in Catholicism
A Prayer for Migrant Children
Good Lord, who said “Whoever receives one of these little ones, receives me,” bless the little ones who are caught in the struggle of migration, separation, and abuse. Give all those adults who are responsible for them and for their welfare the wisdom and courage to do the children justice and to protect them. Make our hearts more ,loving and willing to do the right thing by them. May we see in all people young and old your image and so reverence their great dignity. We make our prayer through you who came among us as a child and who was forced to flee the threat of violence Amen by Father Louis Cameli Profiles in Catholicism
An Encounter with Silence
Loving God, I come before you to pray for my brothers and sisters, your children and members of Christ’s body, at the southern border of the United States today.
What we read of their suffering seems nothing less than a Passion for thousands. Little children crowded into cells where they scarcely have room to stand. Without decent sanitation or food, separated from their families, the older ones taking care of the younger.
God of mercy, I believe that you live within whatever and whoever I am, the ground of my existence, its gracious cause and hope, its true future, its blessed promise of eternal life. I could not always have said so much. But now through your grace I do believe it.
But God of all, I am shaken in that faith when I read of what is happening on the threshold of my country. Are not the women and men and children there also vessels of your eternal presence? Many of them, most perhaps, from what we call the Northern Triangle, have indeed been baptized. But your incarnate Word is addressed to all of them. Your Spirit of freedom hovers over all of them by Leo J. O’Donovan, S.J .America
Videos
Considering Catholic Vocations: deacon, priest, nun, monk, married, single
The Catholic Church in China | A Short Documentary