Commentary On a dusky fall evening, I take a walk down a familiar neighborhood street. Ahead of me, a small deer looks my way at the same moment I spot him. Freezing, I realize he’s being followed by seven companions. They dash across the street and disappear into a backyard. I gaze into the yard, […]
Effie Caldarola: The Ignatian way to approach prayer
Commentary Once when I was in Rome with a group from my Jesuit parish, our pastor celebrated Mass for us in the room where St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits, died. The building housed his final home and offices, and displayed relics of Ignatius, including the saint’s well-worn shoes. I had greatly anticipated […]
Effie Caldarola: Can we see Jesus in neediest people?
Commentary He gazes from his portrait with steely determination, one eyebrow raised. I look at the picture of my great-grandfather, an exile from the Irish famine, and I lift one eyebrow to match his. I feel close to him, even though he died decades before I was born. I grew up on the family farm […]
Effie Caldarola: Strive to rise above hate, name-calling
Commentary Sidewalk chalk, that staple of summer, is easy to spot on an early morning walk. You may be tempted to start skipping over the loosely drawn squares of some little person’s hopscotch course. Or, since this chalk often comes in pastel hues, it’s hard to create a convincing Elmo, but an artist has given […]
Effie Caldarola: True gratitude is a deeply spiritual act
Commentary One morning, I was half-listening to National Public Radio as I quickly prepared for an appointment. Into the shower, grab the coffee, find the toothbrush and in the midst of this, bits and pieces of the day’s news. Then, “StoryCorps” was playing. An independent nonprofit, StoryCorps exists to let people tell their stories. According […]
Effie Caldarola: Reflect and rejoice before Pentecost
Commentary At Easter morning brunch, one of my daughters brought me a beautiful bouquet of tulips. They were so welcome, and so extraordinary, that I took extra good care of them. I changed their water, recut their stems and used the little packet of powder the florist sent. I placed them where I could see […]
Effie Caldarola: Let us be signs of Christ’s mercy
COMMENTARY As a small child, I was a bit of a religious nerd. I’m not sure why, but I was the oldest child, the only daughter, and our little Catholic mission parish in farm country was central to our lives. From a young age, faith intrigued me. Case in point: I remember taking a toy […]
Effie Caldarola: Elmo and the challenge of Lent
COMMENTARY For two or three days in January, a furry red Muppet’s concern for the well-being of his followers became news, dominating Twitter, now X, and sparking discussions from National Public Radio to cable news. When the commotion died down, I was left thinking about how Ash Wednesday was very near and maybe this […]
Effie Caldarola: Of worrying and wild things
COMMENTARY Walking through the park on a brisk winter morning, I glance at the parking lot near the playground and notice a colorful van. I see big letters on its side panel: “Worry First.” Wait a minute. I look again. Actually, it says “Worry Free,” the slogan of a utility company’s appliance service. I chuckle. […]
Effie Caldarola: Make a climate resolution
COMMENTARY Want some good news? The Archdiocese of Chicago announced on Dec. 17 that its nearly 400 parishes, schools, cemeteries and offices switched to 100% renewable energy for electricity needs beginning Jan. 1. This covers about 2,000 buildings and is the equivalent of removing 15,000 cars from the road annually. In his announcement, Cardinal […]
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