Many will be facing Advent without a loved one
Several years ago, I was standing in a checkout line behind two women deep in conversation. I couldn’t help overhearing that one was recently widowed and struggling to adjust to … Learn More
Category: Columns
Transgender baptism: Is this something new? Not really.
It felt like there was a seismic shift in church teaching concerning transgenderism in recent weeks. And that’s because so many headlines got the story wrong. The New York Times, … Learn More
Advent — a time to put pen to paper and offer good tidings
If you are a letter writer, a highlight of Advent is the opportunity to put pen to paper and greet friends and loved ones with Christmas cards reminding them that … Learn More
‘Longing’: Learning about Eucharistic desire from St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
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. … Learn More
Images of Synodality
I have been back in northern New Jersey for more than two weeks now, but I am still processing the experiences of last month’s Synod working sessions.
Catholics and Jews and Jesus, the King
As we slide toward the end of another liturgical year and the Solemnity of Christ the King, war in the Holy Land is sadly dominating the headlines once again. So … Learn More
Reaching out in faith: Why can’t the church use disposable plastic cups at Mass?
Q: My parish recently returned to communion under the second species. A Eucharistic Minister holds one cup and one cloth and does one wipe after each serve. Most people are … Learn More
What battles are we losing when the holy water fonts are dry?
In chapter 31 of her autobiography, the 16th-century Carmelite St. Teresa of Avila — one of four female doctors of the church, including her spiritual daughter, St. Thérèse of Lisieux … Learn More
Vocations Week: Our religious daughter’s blessed annual visit
It was a summer evening in early August, and we were anxiously awaiting the visit of our daughter, Sister Juan Maria of the Holy Spirit (Emily Rose), who was about to begin … Learn More
Sometimes that joyful hope can seem hard to hold
“Hello friend.” I saw these two simple words etched in the most unlikely of places. They were carved into a gravestone in a rural cemetery on a peaceful hill surrounded by … Learn More