Editorials

The good news last week was that nearly one-third of the members in the U.S. House of Representatives supported a new bill to ban most abortions after 20 weeks. The bad news is that with Democrats holding control of the House, the legislation is not expected to pass a vote.

On Ash Wednesday, the Church began the holy season of Lent, our 40-day journey of prayer, fasting and almsgiving that ends with Holy Week, culminating in the joyous celebration of Easter. For Catholics, praying daily, especially during Lent, helps to deepen their relationship with God and neighbor and is an opportunity for personal and spiritual growth.

Is sitting at table for a family meal together sadly becoming outdated in our society? It certainly seems so, as over the past three decades family time at the dinner table and family conversation, in general, has declined by more than 30 percent.

Not to be confused with a moment created by Hallmark to sell more cards was the announcement by Pope Francis Sunday of the establishment of a day to honor grandparents and the elderly to take place each year in July. World Day for the Grandparents and the Elderly will be celebrated annually on the fourth Sunday of July, most fittingly, close to the feast of the grandparents of Jesus, Sts. Joachim and Anne, the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

So much for the “unity and healing” of the nation President Biden called for in his inaugural address Jan. 20. Two days later, on Jan. 22, the 48th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion, while the prolife community was fasting and praying for an end to this abomination, President Biden and Vice President Harris issued a statement delivering a gut punch to everyone who believes in the sanctity of life in the womb.