18 Comments
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John Dougherty's avatar

Thank you for this. The Church is better with you in it!

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Cameron Bellm's avatar

As previously stated, crying in this club*

*swim lessons

Grateful for you!

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Maggie's avatar

Our kids are farther ahead than we are. I think they know so much, even if they haven’t remembered it yet. And what a spiritual guide your Francis has in the kingdom of heaven! I’m not really a Catholic anymore, but Francis made me feel like I could sit at his table anyway. Thanks for sharing what he meant to you, it helped me.

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Cameron Bellm's avatar

Maggie, that makes me so happy. That’s all that matters, that you feel welcome at the table. ❤️ I am thinking a lot about Simone Weil lately, who would not tolerate exclusion of any kind. A good model for us. Our Francis was glad to know that the new pope’s middle name is Francis!

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Barbara Mahany's avatar

truly beautiful. how great an honor to name your son Francis. and, oh, what a beautiful beautiful story of his wisdom.

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Cameron Bellm's avatar

Thank you so much! Our children are little lights, aren’t they?

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Kathy Lamont's avatar

Once again, your insightful and colorful writing just enticed and charmed me. Thank you Cameron! Loved the word cloud!!!

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Cameron Bellm's avatar

Thank you so much! It was fun to write!

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Sara R's avatar

I hate to be that random person from the Internet that pops up and says, "Oh my gosh, me too!" And yet, here I am. It's refreshing you read your work.

My only hope was that whoever was chosen would take the name Clement - simply for the reason that we need more "mercy". But the more I read about Leo, the more I feel comforted. Clearly God has better plans than my own! And I too am hopeful.

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Cameron Bellm's avatar

You are not random at all! Internet friends are real friends, and I'm so glad you waved and said hi! So glad to share in hope with you.

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Renee Schafer Horton's avatar

Nothing gets in the way of me and the library. Right there with you, friend. (and on the rest of it as well :-) )

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Cameron Bellm's avatar

Amen! I know you’re right there with me!

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Agustin Paz's avatar

Beautiful and inspiring, both your story and the story of our beloved Papa Francisco’s journey with us on earth.

Santo Subito!

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Cameron Bellm's avatar

Thank you so much and amen!

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Anthony Dipre's avatar

Thank you as always, for your resonant words. You gave voice to something I’ve been struggling to articulate: it’s okay to grieve the loss of Francis while still being hopeful with Leo. I cannot shake the sadness I’m still experiencing knowing Pope Francis is no longer with us in this earthly journey; I, too, see his papacy as intimately connected to my own “return” of sorts to Catholicism…not quite the same way you experienced, but nonetheless similar. In sum, thank you, Cameron!

P.S. the etymology of radical was/is one of my favorite teaching points when I’m in the classroom 😁

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Cameron Bellm's avatar

I love that so much! Those roots are the thing I return to most, and I love that you incorporated that etymology into your teaching! Thank you, as always, for your encouragement and for your good work!

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Kate Williams's avatar

Love our God of Surprises!!

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Cameron Bellm's avatar

Amen to that!

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