Rev. Enda McDonagh served the Irish church as a compassionate priest and renowned theologian. He died on Feb. 24.

I testify to you that transgender people are who they say they are.

This week has brought us all into close contact with human suffering. We are all like the man on the side of the road in the story of the Good Samaritan, beaten and bloody.

We Jesuits hold Peter Claver up and hide behind him.

Life is just a very terrible thing at times, and Christ knew it and we know it and the church seems to know it. The church is something that deals, quite unflinchingly, in reality.

Hint: It involves sunrises, bus passes, Mass and lots of patience.