There are no words to describe the events of the past week or so. Tragedy struck a school in Colorado and many wonder, "Why?" or "How?' We'll never know all the answers. But there are some things we all can do.

We all can take a stand against the violence that becomes more and more prevalent in our society. Our Holy Father points out that even in the midst of the growing violence, there are signs of hope. "Among the signs of hope we should also count the spread, at many levels of public opinion, of a new sensitivity ever more opposed to war as an instrument for the resolution of conflicts between peoples.... there is evidence of a growing public opposition to the death penalty... the growing attention being paid to the quality of life and ecology" (Evangelium Vitae 27). We must not lose hope in the power of God to effect change in others and in ourselves.

On our home front we face different battles. Parents have a difficult job in these modern times. There is more and more of an assault on the sacredness of the home. I urge all parents to be very careful about the exposure to modern media. Music and movies can have a deep effect on people.

Who of us is not moved by Dona nobis pacem of Beethoven's Missa Solemnis, or July Fourth playing of Sousa's Washington Post March, or a favorite church hymn, etc. If you're Irish and it's St. Patrick's day, who is not touched by Patterson's O Danny Boy?

Music does get inside. While you cannot prevent your child from hearing some of this music, you can keep it out of your house. Be aware of the posters, CD's, magazines your sons and daughters have. Do not allow them to go to Marilyn Manson's (and their ilk) concerts. Check out the teen nightclubs. Those with adolescent young women in the house, keep a close eye on the magazines your daughter is reading. Many of them encourage early sex, [always with the caveat that one is ready and takes precautions], esteem the thin sexy body image, that even though you're a woman you can become whatever you desire (which makes womanhood some kind of inferior thing), not to speak of their emphasis on consumerism.

Learn how to check the history file on your Internet program. There is much to value about the Internet, but there is also much danger. Make it a habit periodically to check the history file in your Internet program. I use Netscape and all I have to do is push the control + H and it opens. You can then check the site your computer has been viewing. If you do not know what a site is about look at it. If the history is empty, be on guard. Someone has emptied it for a reason. Also be aware that many sites with the words teens or girls are entry gates to some of the worst pornographic material on the net.

In all of this we must not lose hope in God's abiding presence inour lives. He will always allow for human freedom. We are free to love and we have the power to use our freedom to build rather than destroy. Thank Him that most people desire to do just that.