El Mensajero (English)

At the recent commencement ceremony at Westchester Community College in Valhalla, N.Y., Jasiel Morales, 18, an immigrant from the Dominican Republic, was the youngest graduate. And although she came to Yonkers, N.Y., just five years ago and found a new language and culture "challenging," she was the top student in the class of 2010.

"Another year of grace! Yes, we face crises like never before, but crises stimulate hope, and with hope come efforts for truth, justice and peace. That effort breeds optimism and even joy. Some saints say that Jesus on the cross, though crying out in desperation, experienced a deep interior joy at a work accomplished."

The weather people called it the perfect storm, the worst in almost four decades.

Once again we enter the season of penance. And the question is not what affect our little acts of self-denial -- and, let's face it, most of them are little -- have on our lives during Lent but what remains when Easter comes. Unfortunately, for many of us our Lenten penance is akin to dieting; after Easter we are back to our old ways. Our efforts are cyclical, leading to no permanent change.

Among the heartbreaking images of death and devastation from Haiti's earthquake, one stood out for me.

It came from an Associated Press story of the disaster, the country's worst in 200 years.

Recently, I enjoyed again "Les Miserables," a movie based on Victor Hugo's novel of forgiveness and redemption.

A bishop's compassion redeems a thief, but the police inspector cannot forgive even himself. I was struck with how relevant that classic is to life today.

Compassion and redemption are easy to find.