Bishop's Random Comments
Welcome to the BISHOP'S RANDOM COMMENTS!
As computers and websites become more and more a way of life for us today, it would be irresponsible of the Church, including the Diocesan Church of Altoona-Johnstown, not to use this medium for the promotion of the Lord's Good News. I believe that Saint Paul the Apostle would have done so, had the Internet been at his disposal.
The world is moving at a fast pace. So many issues involve the Church one way or another. The Faithful are interested in knowing what the Church says in regard to these matters. They are particularly interested in hearing their own Diocesan Bishop's views. And, while I do write a column for The Catholic Register, our diocesan newspaper (which also gets posted on our diocesan website), that comes out only every two weeks.
Consequently, I have decided to launch this site entitled the Bishop's Random Comments. It will give me an opportunity to speak out immediately on any given issue that may be of interest. Some of you may recall that my biweekly column was once named Random Comments. That title seems appropriate for this new venture, as well, for it will be exactly that. I will comment randomly. My comments will usually be brief. And, not all of my musings will be of interest to you nor of grave import to the Diocese.
This site will give the Faithful of our Diocesan Church an opportunity to hear from their Diocesan Bishop on a more frequent basis (and, in another form), simply by clicking onto our diocesan website. It will also give you an opportunity to communicate with me by using the e-mail address provided. If and when you do, I ask that you be brief, to the point, and identify yourself by name and address. I will try to respond, either on this site (without using your name) or directly by e-mail.
I am especially hopeful that young men thinking about answering the Lord's call to study for the priesthood will use this medium to communicate with me. We do have a Diocesan Director for Vocations, whom they should contact. However, at times, a possible candidate might wish to share his thoughts with the Diocesan Bishop (and, even, to ask him a question) and to do so directly and in a non-threatening way.
Please e-mail your comments or questions to Bishop Joseph at randomcomments@dioceseaj.org.
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January 22, 2010 The March on Washington Today is the "March on Washington." Yes, I know that what is taking place is the March for Life in Washington, D.C. I prefer to call it the March on Washington, for that is what it is if Washington stands for our government.
November 27, 2009 Calling It What It Is The mass media, as well as members of Congress, are referring to the exclusion of abortion coverage in the health care reform bills as if it was a simple appendectomy.
November 6, 2009 The Voice of the People Have you noticed that the voice of the people does not seem to matter much anymore? President Abraham Lincoln concluded his Gettysburg Address, reminding that ours is a government of the people, by the people, and for the people.
November 5, 2009 News Control Remember the White House taking Fox News to task? The Obama administration accused Fox of being too far to the right.
October 17, 2009 Stupid, But Not Funny Today's paper carried an article with a Rome byline. It reported that comedian Sarah Silverman suggested in a profanity-laced monologue that our Holy Father should move out of his "house that is a city" and use the proceeds to feed the world's poor.
August 28, 2009 Health Care Reform One can hardly get away from hearing about health care reform these days, no matter where you turn. Even the death of Senator Edward Kennedy is being used to promote the passage of President Obama's agenda in this area of our lives.
July 14, 2009 The Case of a Priest Personnel matters should not be discussed in public. That includes those of the Church, especially if it involves one of the clergy. Yet, when a particular priest decides to take on his bishop in the public forum (which the Apostle Paul said ought not to be done), it appears that the bishop has an obligation to present the "other side of the coin."
July 1, 2009 What Rights? The word "rights" comes up a lot in the news lately. Rights are not to be taken lightly. But, how do people of like mind all of a sudden become a "group" with "rights?"
June 30, 2009 Polish National Catholic Church Yesterday's area newspapers carried a half-page paid ad in which the Polish National Catholic Church took the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown to task.
June 29, 2009 Michael Jackson What's with all this attraction to Michael Jackson? For the past several days, one cannot turn on the news without being subjected to all sorts of commentary about his life.
June 26, 2009 The Altoona Mirror No Longer Unique This is Friday. The first thing that I would read at Friday morning's breakfast was the unique eight-page tabloid religion section.
June 25, 2009 Resurrection Banner The Transitional Council of the soon-to-be-established Resurrection Parish in the Cambria City section of Johnstown is working well with its future Pastor.
May 14, 2009 Commencement Speakers It is commencement time, a time when institutions of higher learning appear to vie with each other by inviting speakers who are well-known and controversial. That includes our Catholic colleges and universities.
May 12, 2009 A Powerful Witness As Christians, Catholic or not, we are called to witness. That means standing up for the truth, no matter what it costs. All too often, we fail when "push comes to shove."
May 8, 2009 Day of Prayer This morning's newspaper brought the "news" that yesterday was observed as the annual National Day of Prayer. The headline read, ‘Our country needs prayer.'
May 7, 2009 Tomko Book On the 29th of April, I was privileged to accompany Cardinal Jozef Tomko to Washington, D.C. The Cardinal is the one that was instrumental in my formation into the priesthood and the one that ordained me as Bishop.
May 4, 2009 Swine Flu The Church always has the good of its Faithful in mind; - body and soul. Some within our Diocesan Church are concerned about several liturgical practices as they might relate to the transmission of the Swine Flu disease.
April 8, 2009 Notre Dame University Bishops throughout our nation are being asked by the Faithful to weigh in on Notre Dame University's invitation to President Obama to give the commencement address.
