Editorials

Twenty years ago Pope John Paul II gave us an apostolic exhortation whose very title alone continues to inspire hope and confidence within the People of God: "Pastores Dabo Vobis (I Shall Give you Shepherds)". Fully aware of God's timeless and never-ending promise to His people through His prophet Jeremiah, John Paul reminded us of Our Lord's faithful and loving care for His flock. He, in His wisdom, knows that ever we must be shepherded; we cannot lead ourselves. He, in His loving, guiding and guarding way, gives us ever His own shepherding care through the priests we so need here on earth.

In a recent talk to Catholic communicators, Cardinal Raymond Burke explained that those working in the field of communications have an obligation to save souls and to safeguard the truth of Church teaching.

Picture the scene: Skaters clad in helmets and pads, racing down a winding ice hill at speeds up to 40 mph, while tens of thousands of cheering spectators lined the course with the Cathedral of St. Paul in Minneapolis serving as a picturesque backdrop.

The Imagine charter schools are closing and as many as 3,800 St. Louis children will have to attend new schools. Parents wonder what the future holds for their children. Some may transfer their children to the St. Louis public schools. This could be a good option for some children; the St. Louis public schools appear to be improving and student test scores are higher than those in the closing Imagine schools. But imagine offering another option as well, namely Catholic schools.

How often have we heard someone -- perhaps our own selves -- say, "If only I had known then what I know now ..."? That this is so common an expression shows us that there is a wisdom, an insight, an understanding borne only of experience. The learning of our years, even with their misjudgments and missed opportunities, sets the stage for clear thinking and overall, well-rounded direction for the future.

Easter is a season and not merely a one-day celebration. In the Catholic Church, we observe this season from Easter Sunday until Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles and the Church was born. We fully celebrate Christ's resurrection, which plucks us from the death of sin and moves us toward a life of grace.