Also in Arkansas Catholic’s March 27 issue

The following are some of the stories and columns that appeared only in the print and complete online editions of Arkansas Catholic. To read what you’re missing, subscribe today.

Disappointment mixes with enthusiasm in reaction to health vote
WASHINGTON (CNS) -— As the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops quietly expressed disappointment, some Catholic groups reacted with enthusiasm to the passage of health reform legislation in Congress and the pending presidential executive order on taxpayer-funded abortion.

Pope apologizes to victims, admits ‘inadequate response’
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -— In a letter to Irish Catholics, Pope Benedict XVI personally apologized to victims of priestly sexual abuse and announced new steps to heal the wounds of the scandal, including a Vatican investigation and a year of penitential reparation.

Obituaries
Lillian Thompson, 90, a member of St. Anne Church in North Little Rock, died March 4.

Oakland A’s baseball prospect leaves to become a padre
OAKLAND, Calif. (CNS) -— When top Oakland A’s baseball prospect Grant Desme capped off a stellar minor league season by announcing his January retirement to join the priesthood, reporters across the country clamored to ask him why. (Sports)

Our Palm Sundays and Good Fridays in life can also lead to Easters
Over the years, I have experienced times of depression. Nothing serious, but there have been days when I was down in the dumps for one reason or another. I also have known people who have battled clinical depression for years. In either instance, or when trouble hits us hard, we often do not know where to turn in our sorrow and loneliness. (Word to Life, Seeds of Faith)

Commission to study alleged apparitions
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -— At the request of the bishops of Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Vatican has established an international commission to study the alleged Marian apparitions at Medjugorje, a small Bosnian town.

Pastor’s vocations recruiting efforts worked for me
Father John Antony walked up to me after Mass and told me I should enter the seminary. He said, “You should join us,” in his characteristically lighthearted tone. I, however, did not take the matter very lightly. My girlfriend was standing next to me and as a full-time college student the last thing I needed was something to divert my attention from what I had determined to be my career-life goals. I smiled at Father Antony’s comment but inside my head I was saying, “OK, back off Father.” (Letter from the Seminary, Columns)

Catholic Charities in D.C. made the right choice
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington, in the face of the new same-sex marriage legislation in the District of Columbia, made the right choice -— a difficult one -— but the right one. (Opinions)

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