For over 35 years I have prayed daily for vocations to the priesthood and religious life. I am thrilled that we now have St. Joseph College Seminary to serve the Diocese of Charlotte.
It is my hope that in addition to being a magnet for vocations, the college seminary will be an instrument for diocesan unity. In one of its brochures, the seminary cites its mission to build men of nobility, to build men of integrity and to build men of authenticity.
In my opinion, it would be better stated: to build men of humility, to build men of prayer and to build men of mercy (Jesus’ self-proclaimed greatest attribute). “The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Mt 20:28).
He also hung out with 12 men, which no doubt meant they all had a sense of humor. May the joy of the priesthood and religious life be experienced by our young men answering God’s call and may we continue to support them in prayer and fellowship.
Ralph H. Sullivan lives in Charlotte.
In this age when abortion is legal, funded, promoted, and even celebrated, we need to recognize the true and fierce spiritual battle it entails.
Abortion is the attempt to destroy and to remake human nature in our own image, instead of God’s image. It is to compel everyone to place themselves as creatures sharply and foolishly above the authority of the holy, almighty and merciful God and His revealed eternal truth in determining right and wrong.
Indeed, just as with original sin, abortion ends with death.
We must pray and work fervently for the conversion and healing of all who promote and protect, pursue and provide the killing of the innocent unborn. A society that kills its own children is self-destructive and has no future. All Catholics, clergy as well as laity, must stand strong and united in this most consequential fight.
Michael Coyle lives in Charlotte.