Tuesday, the State House of Representatives voted for the first time since its adoption 33 years ago to modify the state's Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA). All the Republicans were joined by 12 Democrats in voting against the legislation. The federal government and 21 other states have RFRA laws. This is the first time that any state or Congress has modified their RFRA statutes to exclude a specific category of laws from its protections.

This fourth Sunday of Easter, Jesus the Christ presents Himself as the Good Shepherd who enters the sheepfold not by force but by the gate, and calls His sheep—hopefully us—by name. We must then ask ourselves: what good reasons am I giving the Christ to ‘know’ my name? As Roman Catholics celebrating the Easter season, we focus on the Resurrection of Christ and the role we are called to play in living out our faith, so that if ‘we are ever accused of being called a Catholic in a court of law,’ which will happen on Judgment Day, there might just be enough evidence to convict us

This third Sunday of Easter has us now traveling on the road to Emmaus, just as the two disciples did on the day of the Resurrection. Those two disciples, one named Cleopas, a follower of Jesus, and the other is never named in the biblical texts, thus the anonymity of the text invites us to see ourselves in the story, as a follower of Jesus.Before we begin, a few key points to keep in mind as we make our journey: this event takes place on the day of the Resurrection; two disciples are walking from Jerusalem to Emmaus discussing the recent events of Jesus’ passion and death

One of the multiple good things about ritual is that it becomes a “tradition” in our lives that we not only depend upon, but count on. Throughout human history, ritual has given people hope and established a commonality of pride among peoples. The traditions, whether national, familial, or religious becomes the fabric of our lives. These rituals such as the national Pledge of Allegiance, to familial traditions including but not limited to the opening of Christmas presents (on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day), the menu at a Fourth of July cookout, or the religious traditions of Easter and Christmas instill in us confidence, hope, community, security and more