Teens clamor clearly for two things they feel elude them: true solitude and authentic friendship. Alaska Catholic Youth Conference attendees directly named digital devices as threatening their interior life and distorting their social connections. They perceive their peers as inauthentic and distracted in face-to-face exchanges, leaving little room for the vulnerability and generosity required to build emotional intimacy.
In announcing his presidential bid earlier this summer, Donald Trump made a speech in which he said: “When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best. They’re sending people that have lots of problems. They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists.” This column is written in response to these statements.
Some may point out that the number of American polygamists is so small that changing the law won’t impact the wider culture or the vast majority who support traditional marriage. So what real difference does it make when a society redefines marriage to fit a new cultural norm? Well it certainly impacts what is taught in schools and promoted and enforced by law.
I have come to believe that bread, in whatever, shape, taste or form you may encounter it, is pure evidence of God’s transcendent care for the people of this hungry planet.
There are solutions to homelessness; there are communities in this country where homelessness has been eliminated. Perhaps Anchorage can be next. We hope and pray this could happen.
People travel extensively nowadays. But a trip to a vacation spot, or a pricey tour, does not necessarily make a pilgrimage. Likewise, staying in our own environment does not mean we’re not pilgrims. A pilgrimage might take us to the local shelter or a refugee program across town or even a thoughtful walk to morning Mass. We can’t all hike out of Mexico, but we can journey out of our comfort zone.
So, how should we lighten up? Well, first of all, there should be no doubt that we are overloaded with stuff, material possessions that we do not need. Of course, this may prove to be difficult because the sales-wolves are constantly howling at our door: Buy Amazon, buy Land’s End, buy Apple, buy Google, buy from the online catalogue companies that are urging us to get the best and the latest…
For the first time in human history, we live in a culture that says we can create our own meaning of life apart from God — a culture that denies all absolutes or norms. It says we can make up our own purpose in life, a self defined purpose.
As a relative newcomer to the organization, I am sure there are many out there who know this story better than I, but we began first as the St. Francis House Food Pantry. In the beginning, Holy Family Cathedral began to distribute food to the hungry in our community. That was nearly 50 years ago.
It has often occurred to me, having lived on a farm as a youngster, that folks who live close to the earth have a certain natural affinity for the metaphysical, the intuitive even the spiritual aspects of life and its meaning.