From the Editor

What a year 2020 was. It was a year filled with violence, despair, tragedies and social unrest. There was the killing of George Floyd which sparked both peaceful and violent protests in the streets of America. We were in the grips of a global pandemic for most of the year which claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of people globally. Wildfires in the western states and hurricanes in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico states claimed lives and displaced thousands of people across the country. Add to the mix a national election that helped fuel a polarized nation and you have a recipe for a widening gap between political parties and their supporters.

Fortunately a vaccine has been developed which will hopefully save lives and begin to bring things back to some sense of normalcy in everyone’s lives. The vaccine will only work though if people choose to take it and continue to follow the guidelines set forth by the medical professionals until it can be controlled.

Perhaps Pope Francis has an answer for us concerning the growing divisions among people in the world today. His latest encyclical Fratelli tutti encourages everyone to promote fraternity through dialogue and renew society by putting love for others ahead of our personal interests.

It’s okay for people to disagree on issues. It’s always healthy to talk about our different opinions, likes, dislikes and points of view on national and international topics. We have the right to gather peacefully and make a stand for what we believe.

The problem comes in when we begin attacking people for what they believe or don’t believe. We should separate the issue from the individual. We are all created equal no matter what color our skin, nation we come from or our gender. We are created in the image and likeness of God.

In his encyclical the pope says, “It is also necessary to form a covenant between all members of society, rich and poor, which obliges everyone to give up some things for the common good.” Above all, he said we need to rediscover kindness.

Let’s use this new year as a spring board for a new start. I’m sure we can all think of someone who we could be a little kinder to. We all have lost friends who might not think the same way we do about things. How many more times will we avoid the opportunity to reacquaint ourselves with old friends, relatives or co-workers that we have lost touch with because of differences of opinions? Let’s make 2021 the year that we take that leap of faith and try to be better people.

Now for those who have racism, hatred or evil in their hearts, let us pray that the Holy Spirit will guide them to the truth and the light which is Jesus Christ. Let us be inclusive in our daily prayers for the conversion of hearts and souls of those who are hardened by the evils of racism, injustice, hatred and all forms of social exclusion.

Remembering that we are led by the Holy Spirit and given gifts from the Spirit, we can make a difference in the world today. It is up to each one of us, led by the Spirit, to bring hope and love to a world that needs it desperately.

Remember, after reading Bayou Catholic, pass it on to a friend or relative who might not be attending Mass. It’s one of the great ways to do your part in spreading the Good News.