Many homes proudly display pictures of family members or of times not to be forgotten Some of these pictures are individually framed Others are combined two or three photos hinged together As we celebrate this Marian feast the church offers us two depictions of Mary In the Western church this

We may not be able to explain the miracles, but we cannot overlook one very important element in each story—God works marvels through ordinary people.

We are no longer content to live with full bellies but empty minds.

There are so many people searching today, people hungering for instruction, good people who are looking for direction.

Today’s readings reveal once again that God chooses ordinary people and confers on them extraordinary responsibility.

Within the recent past the church has been tossed to and fro in storms of controversy Not one storm mdash many storms And not in one country mdash in many countries It has been the target of fierce persecution and it has also allowed evil to corrupt it from within Whether in circumstances of h