Brett's Two-Cents

Hello, everyone! So good to be back with you (yes, even you, Fr. Dave and Fr. Hans!).

If you were here last weekend, you heard Fr. Dave address the latest clergy sexual abuse crisis at the end of Mass. It’s obvious that we’re now faced with something very serious, and truthfully, very evil. Many of you, I know, have been following the developing story in the news. For those of you who have not, but would like to learn more, I’ve included below several links to various responses to this crisis. I’ve put them in an order that I myself have found helpful. These are not the only commentators (obviously). If you’d like to trace the whole story as it has developed, reporter Rod Dreher at the “American Conservative” website has followed it from the beginning.

• Michael Brendan Doherty summarizes the situation
• Bishop Barron on its spiritual aspect
• Cardinal DiNardo’s letter outlining how the U.S. bishops plan to respond
• Pope Francis’ letter to all of us concerning the crisis
• Reactions to Pope Francis’ letter
• Archbishop Sample’s letter to all of us in response to the situation

There is one other item for which I’d ask your prayers and consideration. You may have heard about the severe flooding in Kerala, India, that has stranded thousands and thousands of people on their rooftops without food or fresh water. The death toll, last time I looked, was well over 300, and it’s presumed that it will only grow. This is a once-every-500-years event, and pretty much no one has insurance, so even as the waters start to recede, rebuilding is going to be a huge challenge. So many families have literally lost everything. Several of our very own parishioners and/or their families have been affected.

If you’d like to help, prayers are GREATLY appreciated. Beyond that, if you’d like to offer financial assistance, I know that the Catholic Near East Welfare Association (a Papal relief agency) is on the ground there and is working hand-in-hand with churches to get aid to those who need it. You can donate online at  cnewa.org. Thanks, everyone!