The Rev. Bob Tywoniak wrote in a recent church bulletin for the Blessed Sacrament Roman Catholic Church in Oakland Park that prejudice can be controlled by identifying the feeling and then stepping back to ask why that feeling is happening.

"When discord rises between you and others, it is possible the other person is wrong," Tywoniak wrote. "Work it out. Yet often matters of discord are sourced in misunderstanding. Work it out. Have courage. It is possible with effort to reconcile with your 'friend.'"

Tywoniak urged parishioners to remember that Jesus was understanding and that his followers should lead by his example.

Rev. Bob Tywoniak | http://www.blessedsacramentrcc.org/

"Jesus is still with us in the Eucharist," Tywoniak wrote. "He shows us how to be like Him. Even more, Jesus gives us the grace to act like Him. With His power, transform the pain, disappointment, fear and anger into a grace-filled moment. Understand yourself and the other."

Tywoniak wrote that he was blessed to have others who recognized his pains and disappointments and to help him recognize his prejudices, which he had to work to understand and change. He wrote that in God's sacrifice, He demonstrates restraint when faced with bullies and bigotry.

"He disarms them with patient understanding," Tywoniak wrote. "He knew the ones most 'hands-on' to his murder were likely manipulated by powers greater than they."

Tywoniak believes that the adversity he has faced in his lifetime has been a blessing for his ministry.

"Yes, I say blessed," Tywoniak wrote. "The challenge of adversity has awakened me to know I am not the only one with challenges. Further, I see I am not the only one who experiences pain. Even more, I have learned to have empathy and sympathy for others who are in apparent pain."

Tywoniak wrote that his experiences give him pause to stop, reflect and understand why others are upset and find a common element between those in conflict.