As someone reminded me during this Christmas season, Jesus came to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. Or, as a priest I knew used to say at the end of Mass many years ago, “May the unrest of Christ be with you.” I’ve been painfully aware of my status as one of the “comfortable” […]
Father Kenneth Doyle: I’ve been asked to scatter ashes
I’ve been asked to scatter ashes Q: I understand that, as Catholics, if we choose to be cremated our cremains are to be treated with dignity and must be buried or entombed. My husband and I have two family members who have asked us to arrange to have their ashes “scattered.” One is a Catholic, […]
Msgr. Owen F. Campion: Fourth Sunday of Advent
Drawn to the divine presence itself 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16 Romans 16:25-27 Luke 1:26-38 The first reading for this weekend is from the Second Book of Samuel. The two Books of Samuel once were a single volume. Translations and editions over the centuries divided the one volume into two. David is the principal […]
Father William J. Byron, SJ: A father for those who need one
About 40 years ago I was able to offer pastoral assistance to a young woman who lost her husband, a former student of mine, in a fatal car crash. She was left with a 5-year-old daughter and relatively few friends in Pennsylvania, far from her native Midwestern home. I celebrated the funeral Mass, took care […]
Carolyn Y. Woo: Presence, not presents
Christmas is fast approaching. My thoughts, like those of many, have turned to Christmas presents. What would be fun and useful for my team members at Catholic Relief Services? What would not be merely shelved but stay in sight and mind and bring a smile? When would I have time to shop? What about my […]
Kathleen T. Choi: Body and soul
I got my Christmas present early this year. My grandson and his girlfriend came for a visit. It was a blessing, first, because they’re good company. Second, their presence forced me to put up Christmas decorations. I’ve gotten lazy in my old age, and, last year, the only sign of the season at our house […]
Kathleen T. Choi: It’s tempting
We’ve had several burglaries recently in our neighborhood. The neighborhood watch committee has urged residents to keep our doors locked even when we’re home and windows latched whenever we’re away. The committee’s messages have persuaded me that we all have an obligation to make this neighborhood a less tempting target. Perhaps potential thieves will try […]
Father John Catoir: Here’s to the faithful or lucky ones
The lucky ones are people with a vibrant faith. They may not be perfect, but they have been able to overcome many obstacles by the grace of God and find happiness despite their weaknesses. They believe in not being overcome by evil but overcoming evil with good. Sometimes a person is born with a particular […]
Msgr. Owen F. Campion: Second Sunday of Advent
God’s mercy is overwhelming Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11 2 Peter 3:8-14 Mark 1:1-8 The second part of the Book of Isaiah provides the first reading for this Second Sunday of Advent. When this book was written, God’s people were very happy. Their long, dreary exile of four generations in Babylon was about to end. They were […]
Mary Adamski: ‘Assignment: Advent’
Advent always feels a little like the end of the semester, when the deadline for the final term paper is looming and the final exam is ahead and you’ve schluffed off on the required reading and the homework, and you start hyperventilating about what it’s going to mean to your GPA. No matter how many […]
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