July 24, 2020 – Ammon Hennacy, Catholic Worker, b. 1893-1970 After five months the United States is still knee deep in the coronavirus pandemic, while other countries that were beset at the same time have found a way to beat back the worst of the virus and protect lives. The U.S. response to simple measures such as stay-at-home orders, social distancing, and mask wearing has been predictable. Rather than tending to these basic public health measures, we have chosen our…
There are many who say that we reveal our true character in times of adversity. If you listen even half-heartedly, you will here this refrain from corporate TV commercials, some political candidates, and most likely your place of employment. And well, it’s true. Common sense dictates that to defeat Covid-19 we need to come together; we do need to work for the greater good. And if we haven’t been challenged by adversity yet, we are likely to be before all…
My third day ever of teaching was on September 11, 2001. I was teaching Latin to fifth through eighth grade students at Plato Academy in Niles, Illinois just outside Chicago. I only taught twice a week; my first day had been the previous Tuesday, the day after Labor Day. Given my lack of teaching experience, it was going to be a tough day no matter what else happened. But as we know, all hell broke loose that day. None of…