For newly married couples, reading the Old Testament Book of Sirach is perfect for deepening your first love for each other. If children come along, teach them its principles, which contain the perfect seeds for growing their wisdom. And for everyone, not just married couples, it is a must-read. The Book of Sirach is sometimes […]
Richard Doerflinger: A divided church?
A MORE HUMAN SOCIETY We sometimes hear that American Catholics are divided: Some advance the church’s teaching on abortion, others promote its teachings on peace and economic justice. And those factions are at war. I seldom saw this among the bishops or their national staff, where I once served. We each had areas of expertise, […]
Effie Caldarola: To be in God’s hands
FOR THE JOURNEY Like most Catholics, I planned for Lent. I had my list of suggested “give ups,” “to dos,” goals. I like to be in control. There are aspects of this personality trait that are positive, but essentially wanting control is often a futile endeavor. So on the morning of “Shrove Tuesday” or Mardi […]
Msgr. Owen F. Campion: Rejoice! God’s light awaits us
FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT 1 Samuel 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a; Ephesians 5:8-14; John 9:1-41 Drawing from the first word, in Latin, in the Entrance Antiphon for this weekend’s liturgy, this Sunday long has been called “Laetare Sunday.” Laetare means “to rejoice.” The church rejoices that even amid the drabness and penance of Lent, the glory of […]
Talk story: Work gives life meaning, dignity, a future
OFFICE FOR SOCIAL MINISTRY “When one has turned money, property, and work into one’s calling of service with others, then the joy of sharing and the feeling that we are all one family does not pass away” (Blessed Oscar Romero, martyred Archbishop of El Salvador, Rice Bowl 2017) During Lent, Rice Bowl provides daily reminders […]
Father Kenneth Doyle: How’s a vegetarian to abstain?
QUESTION CORNER Q: I have always observed the fast and abstinence rules during Lent, but this year I find myself in a weird situation. Last summer, I decided no longer to eat any animal products — a decision I made for my health. So abstaining from meat on Fridays during Lent is no longer a […]
Father John Catoir: My farewell column
As a young college student, I found myself drifting away from the church. I had a thousand questions, and I found institutional religion unappealing. If it were not for a piece of writing that spoke to my heart, by Cardinal John Henry Newman, I don’t know where I’d be today: “God has created me to […]
Father Kenneth Doyle: Why the name change when parishes merge?
QUESTION CORNER Q: Why do names of churches have to change when parishes merge? I understand that they might not want to have a St. Mary’s/St. Joseph’s, but the new names are nothing like what we were used to; they are more complicated and difficult to remember. (Latham, New York) A: Names of churches do […]
Father Eugene Hemrick: Prosperity: The hope of America
THE HUMAN SIDE Everyone loves to hear that we are going to be made prosperous. The reason is found in the derivation of the word “prosperous” coming from the Latin “spes,” meaning hope. Much of America’s future hope is based on people having a reliable job, equitable financial means for living comfortably, access to education […]
Talk story: Encounter and accompany those most in need
OFFICE FOR SOCIAL MINISTRY “The Samaritan acts with true mercy: he binds up the man’s wounds, transports him to an inn, personally takes care of him, and provides for his upkeep. All this teaches us that compassion, love, is not a vague sentiment, but rather means taking care of the other to the point of […]
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