Recent invitations to comment have included 200 words or less on “What is your prayer for our country or world in 2022?” and “Has Bishop Andrew Cozzens touched your life in the past eight years he’s served as an auxiliary bishop of St. Paul and Minneapolis?” The following are two responses:

God’s help. That’s my prayer for our country and world in 2022. As a person who has seen good times and bad, Depression days and modern times, I have to say that we need God’s help more than ever. In poor times, it seemed that people were thankful to God for every little thing, and people were more honest and more helpful — sharing the little that they had. In modern times, we seem to have lost some of our values. We have more of the material things, but often lessening faith, more division, rising crime. I pray for God’s help for all of us — beginning with the pre-born and through all ages. An example of our lessening faith is our unhesitating killing of unborn human beings. During the Depression we wore handed-down clothes, holes in our shoes, and had meager meals — but we had our parents’ love. God’s love is our deepest need. Strong faith is our best hope.

Lucille Carlson
St. Peter, Forest Lake

Bishop Andrew Cozzens is a person of great humility, grounded in the embrace of his priestly calling. My late husband, Charles, and I were part of a team of two couples who regularly met with Bishop Cozzens for a period of time, during his studies for the priesthood at the St. Paul Seminary. We discussed a broad array of topics, and regardless of the topic, his questions and comments always demonstrated a thoughtful, contemplative approach to his calling. And that embrace of the gift of humility has served him well as the auxiliary bishop here. The Diocese of Crookston is fortunate that he will be their shepherd.

Jessie Nicholson
Cathedral of St. Paul, St. Paul

“Readers Respond” is an occasional feature in The Catholic Spirit. Readers, please respond to our next question: What is your prayer for Bishop Joseph Williams as he begins his new ministry as an auxiliary bishop? in 200 words or less to [email protected] with “Readers Respond” in the subject line.