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As was the case last year, the Apostolic Penitentiary of the Holy See has granted a plenary indulgence that may be obtained, under the usual conditions, by those who participate in the sacred celebrations carried out on January 17 and 18. The elderly, sick and homebound may also gain a plenary indulgence if they spiritually unite themselves to these events and make their prayer and penance an offering to God.
This week the Catholic Church in the United States is observing National Migration Week, as it has for nearly half a century. The theme for this year’s observance is “Building Communities of Welcome.” This week provides Catholics with an opportunity to be mindful of the presence and often difficult situations faced by many immigrants and refugees, as well as victims and survivors of human trafficking in our midst.
A Jesuit whom former Speaker of the House of Representatives Paul Ryan sought to oust in 2018 will remain in his post as chaplain of the legislative body as the 116th session of Congress begins.
Enough of the lists. I just want to be more of a God-bearer. In our data-driven technocracy, I want Mary’s sense of wonder. In our use-or-be-used culture, I want Mary’s fullness of grace. In our culture of achievement, I want Mary’s ability to discern when to be still and when to set out in haste. Instead of succumbing (again) to the pride of hitting new goals, or the discouragement of falling short (again), I want Mary’s obedience.
As 2019 begins, we find proponents of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) seeking to take Virginia back to 1972 in an effort to change the course of the future of our commonwealth and our nation. The ERA is short and seems simply to be a neutral measure advocating for the equality of sexes; however, the ambiguity of the language disguises significant negative consequences, which must not be ignored.
Although victory for the pro-life cause may now be a real possibility, so may something far short of that.
The Basilica of St. Mary in Alexandria will host the incorruptible heart of St. John Vianney, Curé of Ars and patron saint of priests, Jan. 15-16 as part of its national tour, and its only stop in the Diocese of Arlington.
The U.S. Catholic bishops are taking part in a closed-door retreat Jan. 2-8 at Mundelein Seminary at the University of St. Mary of the Lake near Chicago to prayerfully consider ways to rebuild trust over the clergy sex abuse crisis.
The clerical abuse crisis and the "crisis of credibility" it created for the U.S. bishops have led to serious divisions within the U.S. church and to a temptation to look for administrative solutions to problems that go much deeper, Pope Francis told the U.S. bishops.


