You can learn more here:
nationaldaycalendar.com/national-bird-day-january-5/
"In 2002, Born Free USA, in coordination with the Avian Welfare Coalition, launched the first annual National Bird Day to promote avian awareness." You can learn more here: nationaldaycalendar.com/national-bird-day-january-5/ Give thanks to God for the beauty of creation.
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While lighthouses can serve to guide mariners through treacherous waters, I think our whole society needs to start paying attention to the true guiding light. The wise men followed a star to the true light, Jesus Christ.
Our nation needs revival. The last 22 months have created a mental health crisis that is widespread. How much pain and suffering do we see in our family, our friends, and in our communities? The pandemic restrictions, the divisiveness of political rhetoric, and the collapse of support systems have all contributed to an unhealthy society. There are many different statistics we could review in our research to study the depths of the current crisis compared to the recent past. Today, I just want to look at some homicide statistics. These numbers are still being updated in some locales, but these preliminary numbers will at least give us a glimpse into some of the challenges facing metropolitan areas. Many of these statistics were pulled from an article written on December 18 at Fox News. I did additional research on some of the cities and updated with numbers compiled closer to the end of the year. Thus, some of these numbers will be more accurate than others. Record Setters: Albuquerque, New Mexico 112 homicides as of December 27, 2021. Previous record was 93 in 2019. Austin, Texas 89 homicides in 2021. Previous record was 59 in 1984. Baton Rouge, Louisiana At least 115 homicides in 2021. Previous record was 110 in 2020. Columbus, Ohio At least 179 homicides in 2021. Previous record was 177 in 2020. Indianapolis, Indiana At least 258 homicides in 2021. Previous record was 233 in 2020. Jackson, Mississippi At least 129 homicides in 2021. Previous record was 128 in 2020. Louisville, Kentucky At least 179 homicides in 2021. Previous record was 111 in 2016. (What happened in Louisville, Kentucky? The record number of homicides jumped by 68 in just five short years. That is a huge increase from 111 to 179.) Macon, Georgia At least 52 homicides in 2021. Previous record was 48 in 1992. Milwaukee, Wisconsin At least 190 homicides in 2021. Previous record was 186 in 2020. New Haven, Connecticut At least 25 homicides in 2021. Previous record was 23 in 2011 according to the New Haven Register. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania At least 524 homicides in 2021. Previous record was 500 in 1990. Portland, Oregon At least 84 homicides in 2021. Previous record was 70 in 1987. Rochester, New York At least 80 homicides in 2021. Previous record was 69 in 1991. St. Paul, Minnesota At least 35 homicides in 2021. Previous record was 34 in 1992. Tucson, Arizona At least 92 homicides in 2021. Previous record was 79 in 2008. If you notice, five of the cities listed above had records set in 2020, only to have those records broken again in 2021. It is six cities if you include Atlanta 2020 & 2021 numbers even though the actual record of homicides had been set 30 years earlier. Atlanta, Georgia 158 homicides in 2021. Previous record was in 2020 at 145 homicides. (This was a 30-year record. Atlanta had 241 homicides in 1990.) Chicago, Illinois did not set a record for number of homicides in 2021. However, it was the most since 1996. That is a 25 year high. According to ABC 7 in Chicago, there were 3,561 shootings with a total of 797 homicides. The start of 2022 is not looking good for Chicago either. According to Breitbart News, there were 31 people shot during the New Year's Weekend, six of them fatally. Other major cities that frequently make the news because of violence, but did not set homicide records in 2021 included: Houston, Texas had 473 homicides in 2021. Detroit, Michigan had 309 homicides in 2021. St. Louis, Missouri had 194 homicides in 2021. We are a society that struggles to see the value and dignity of each human life from conception through natural death. What will each of us do in 2022 to reflect the Light and the Love of Jesus Christ to others? The world needs people of faith to be true lighthouses guiding others to safety. "The people in darkness have seen a great light." Okay ladies of Cheyenne--let's wrap up the Christmas Season with a bang. Let's also jump-start our return to Ordinary Time. I am looking forward to joining all of you this Saturday for a day of retreat. Fr. Tom has invited me to preach the homily at the 8:00 am Mass in addition to being the retreat master for the day. I am truly blessed to be able to spend this time with you.
Here are a few questions we will be reviewing on Saturday. the first three focus on your personal spiritual journey. The last two look at a bigger picture. How is your community of faith (parish) proclaiming the Gospel? 1. What charisms or gifts of the Holy Spirit have been given to you in abundance? 2. What liturgical symbol or sign most speaks to you? Why? 3. What holds you captive right now? From what do you wish the Lord to release you? 4. What spiritual gifts are prominent in your parish? Explain in detail. 5. What is the biggest impact your parish has made in the community? Try to RSVP by Wednesday so we can be fully prepared for all in attendance. |
AuthorThis is my personal blog. The opinions expressed are those of Deacon Vernon and the blog's readers. This site operates independently and is not affiliated with any other entity. The information I provide is on an "as-is" basis. I make no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of any information on this blog. I will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information. Furthermore, I will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its use. |