By Gina Christian OSV News SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Diocese of Sacramento announced it has filed for bankruptcy, citing the costs of settling more than 250 lawsuits alleging sexual abuse by clergy and staff. “There are many victim-survivors who have long suffered from the reprehensible sins committed against them,” Bishop Jaime Soto said in an […]
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 […]
Sister Alicia Torres : How to find our true identity
COMMENTARY Who am I? This question lurks at the core of every human heart. So often the real answer is blurred by responses we so readily grasp after, and yet time and again fail to satisfy. One response in particular, I think, gnaws at so many of us today: “I am important.” Of course […]
Greg Erlandson: How deep are our divisions?
AMID THE FRAY The movie, musical and now musical movie “Mean Girls” is a reminder of one of the more miserable sides of adolescence: In groups and out groups, the cool kids and the losers, the nerds and the jocks. Unfortunately, however, in groups and out groups don’t just exist in grammar schools and […]
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. […]
Jenna Marie Cooper: Why so much incense at Mass?
QUESTION CORNER Q: Our daughter has totally given up going to church because of the relentless use of incense at each Mass. It doesn’t bother me but I do notice a lot of people in the congregation that obviously have problems with it. Since it causes breathing difficulties for many people is it really appropriate […]
Jenna Marie Cooper: Can one Mass fulfill two obligations?
QUESTION CORNER Q: Since Christmas is on Monday this year, can I go to a Christmas vigil Mass on Sunday and have it fulfill my Sunday and Christmas obligations? (Boston, MA) A: As you note, in 2023 Christmas eve falls on a Sunday. And like all Sundays Catholics are required to attend Mass in […]
How to celebrate a Catholic Christmas
By Amy Welborn OSV News For Catholics, great feasts like Christmas don’t come at us out of the blue: In the secular world, “Christmas” seems to start in October! However, our approach to this holiday as Catholics must be different, and it can be. We can put aside the worldly calendar; we can allow the […]
Jenna Marie Cooper: What are the rules for Christmas trees?
QUESTON CORNER Q: When I was a kid we put up the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve and took it down a day or two after Christmas. As an adult, I put the tree up a day or two after Thanksgiving and left it up until January 2nd. Now as a Catholic, what is […]
Michael R. Heinlein: The eucharistic desire of Elizabeth Ann Seton
COMMENTARY My family made a recent visit to the new museum at the National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Emmitsburg, Maryland. I’ve always been drawn to St. Elizabeth’s story. I remember how it fascinated me as a child that she was both a mother and a nun, not to mention the first […]