It is with great sadness that we learned there was another tragic mass shooting of innocent people this week, this time in Thousand Oaks, California. While the motives of this particular gunman remain unclear, it is unsettling that, as a society, we are unable to deal with the circumstances that lead to these kinds of shootings -- which are, almost always, cases of people with mental health problems and access to firearms.

Words of heartfelt gratitude have been expressed for the life-changing help and support many have received from Sisters across the Archdiocese of Boston. "Sister has been a tremendous support and resource for me during the time that my son has been struggling with addiction. She leads a "Hope and Strength Prayer Group" that helps me and many other parents of children struggling with addiction, in recovery and in a special way for those souls who lost their battle with addiction, and for the families they left behind. This group and Sister's constant help have been lifelines for me during a difficult time. I remain extremely grateful for the genuine concern, support and friendship that she has offered me." -- Teresa Murano, Rosary Prayer Group for families with loved ones suffering from addiction, Sacred Heart Church, Quincy.

BOSTON -- Boston College High School announced Nov. 7 that principal Stephen Hughes will be retiring as principal at the end of the 2018-2019 academic year. Hughes, a 1973 graduate of BC High, has spent more than four decades at the school as a teacher, coach, athletic director, and administrator.