October 13, 2025: Columbus Day? Indigenous People’s Day?

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Yesterday at Mass, Fr. Taste hit another homer in his homily based on Luke 17:11-19, the one where the Samaritan Leper is among 1hose who are healed, but is the only one who goes back to say Thank You….  Father T is in my neighborhood age wise, and he started his sermon with a quotation from one of Garrison Keillor’s books – where a couple had a little party on their 50th anniversary, and it wasn’t until afterwards that the Mr. got around to telling the Mrs. he loved her.    I interpreted the message he had for all of us: be grateful to ourselves and to others.  There are infinite ways, the best, small.  In these days, gratitude is something to practice.

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For the last several weeks I have been watching the fascinating Nova series, “Human”, on PBS.  The final local showing (Episode 5) is on TPT Channel 2 on Wednesday October 15, 8 p.m. Central Time.  For the entire series, check in with Nova.  If you can watch at home, the entire series is well worth your time.  Narrator and host Ella Al-Shamahi brings the story of homo sapiens to life.  This weeks episode, the final one, apparently explores the most recent historical period of humankind – most likely the pre- and post-Christopher Columbus periods.  Check out the series: it’s okay to see the last episode first!

Heather Cox Richardson discusses the history of Columbus Day in her October 12 column here.

In my state, Minnesota, today is recognized as Indigenous People’s Day, in concert with the annual United Nations event.  Minnesota is one of 17 U.S. states recognizing and celebrating the day.

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Yesterdays Basilica of St. Mary newsletter commentary by Janice Andersen was very relevant to the current days, I felt.  Here it is: Janice Andersen Oct 12 20250001  

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The big news on Sunday, and of course today, the pending peace in Israel/Gaza.  I am not inclined to go overboard on optimism.  Today is a single day in a very long and troubled history in the region and is are no magic long term solutions.  Stay tuned.  Last news I saw or heard – on purpose – was yesterday afternoon.

COMMENTS (more below)

from Jeff: [Columbus Day] is a “Democrat” holiday…hahaha…trump must not have known…

It’s silly to make Columbus the poster boy for the ills of all colonialism, but he was a despicable human actually per historical fact
I see the old line Italian americans always defending Columbus….for gods sake they should dump him and elevate Frances Cabrini…

from Joann: Thank you, Dick.  Your messages are insightful and helpful.

from Brian:  I work a lot with Native Americans.  I’m on the board of one of their credit unions, in Montana, that I helped them start.   Thanks so much for your great post!

from Norm: I want to offer the following comments regarding the agreement in Gaza:

Like you, I am very cautious about making too much out of the agreement given the history of that area of generations of conflict and tribal that raise serious questions of whether the Palestinians will ever be able to rule themselves should that ever be allowed.
I remember that Arafat when he was the leader of the PLO was so loved by his fellow Palestinians that it was claimed that he never slept in the same bed and location on more than one night having to change every night to stay alive.
Now granted, Trump being the insecure, arrogant and narcissistic fellow that he is, is making a big deal out of how he had brought peace to the Middle East something that no other US president has ever done and, of course, as always, claiming that he is the smartest and most accomplished  and successful US president ever…
And publicly claiming that he should be and/or have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize or the Noble PP as he calls.
Such an insecure man who continually has to tell himself let alone tell world how great he is also makes him a very dangerous man-child to be the leader of a major national power.