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 […]
Effie Caldarola: A simple prayer that never fails
COMMENTARY Many years ago, I attended a friend’s ordination to the priesthood. This man was a Notre Dame graduate and had attended the university before he had discovered his priestly vocation. His friend, Holy Cross Father Theodore Hesburgh, spoke at the ordination ceremonies. Hesburgh, then retired and now deceased, had been president of Notre […]
Effie Caldarola: Why does death take us by surprise?
COMMENTARY A beloved relative died in October — not an immediate family member, but someone who, throughout many years, was a reliable, solid presence; one of those even-keeled anchors that every extended family needs. As he grew older, he was widowed and experienced the loneliness that accompanies loss. We kept in touch. I suppose […]
Effie Caldarola: Prigozhin, Putin and the hope of a merciful God
COMMENTARY Every news channel showed the crash over and over again until I could see the horrifying image in my sleep. The only problem was, it was so distressing I couldn’t sleep. Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of Russia’s brutal Wagner group, was believed to be on a private jet carrying 10 people when it […]
Effie Caldarola: Doing good makes us happy
COMMENTARY Today I found myself in the multipurpose room of an old Methodist Church, waiting my turn to donate blood. It was a sticky-hot summer afternoon. Since it was a workday, and because older folks are great at volunteering, most of those sprawled out on nearby tables with tubes sticking out of their arms […]
Effie Caldarola: Becoming our parents
COMMENTARY As my mom grew older, she became less mobile. When we’d visit the mall she wouldn’t walk to the parking lot; we’d find a secure bench outside a store, and she would wait there for us to bring the car around. Often, when we’d drive up, Mom would be engaged in conversation with someone, […]
Effie Caldarola: Murder and Christian contemplation
COMMENTARY For me, there is almost nothing as relaxing as reading a good British mystery. The murder mystery genre belongs to the Brits, from Agatha Christie to P.D. James and beyond. Even some American authors, like Charles Todd and Elizabeth George, create solidly British characters who do their sleuthing in old manor houses and busy […]
Effie Caldarola: O Life! O Death! O Mystery!
COMMENTARY My friend volunteered in a program called NODA — No One Dies Alone. It was not meant to walk the long journey through terminal illness with someone. It was, in fact, quite literal. At the hour of death, none of us should be alone. The hospital might have a suffering patient who was living […]
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