Commentaries
Priests in Scotland and U.S. facing challenges on global scale
In a series of talks for archdiocesan priests at their recent convocation, Archbishop Philip Tartaglia of Scotland describes the difficulties of his country that are heading here. The American Church’s strengths uniquely enable it to influence the life of the Church.
Like a ‘compact city,’ Church needs priests working together
Archbishop Philip Tartaglia describes what true priestly fraternity looks like, and why priests helping one another to stay strong is important for the health of the church.
Holy priests are set apart, as the Church is from the culture
Archbishop Philip Tartaglia teaches that from the time of the Roman Empire to the present, people both run to and are repelled by the Church. The reason: “apartness” is part of Christianity. Celibate priests should best represent this dynamic.
The elderly are vital to the church’s mission
WIth their growing numbers, senior citizens are becoming the mainstay of parish life and ministry. Their faith, wisdom and experience are treasures to be embraced by younger generations.
What to do with your life? Consider three questions
Young people can become paralyzed by many options as they face a choice of vocation. Recent college grad Katie Daniels discerns through this framework: What gives you joy? Are you good at it? Does anyone need you to do it?
For Mom and kids at home, summer living is stressful
Deacon Paul and Helen McBlain offer some tips for a couple grappling with summertime's challenges. Mom and Dad have work to do, while children have a lot of time on their hands.
Dialogue and challenge mark historic gathering of bishops and laity
The recent Convocation of Catholic Leaders, which drew over 3,000 bishops, priests and laity, called participants to minister to the margins of society. As Greg Erlandson observes, the gathering also highlighted the important role of the U.S. bishops' conference itself.
Physician-assisted suicide: Dead in some states, routine in others
Legalized euthanasia efforts have slowed in several states. However, in California and other states where it is approved, the practice has become sadly commonplace, warns Richard Doerflinger.
Stale beer and dirty socks led to adoration, and my conversion
Megan Mastroianni was an ordinary Catholic teenager, and not very religious. When she started running with a partying crowd her brother took her to eucharistic adoration and a youth group meeting. It changed her life.
‘Not a sparrow falls’: With a God like this, how could you not feel loved?
Effie Caldarola considers the sparrow of Jesus' parable that meets its end like the rest of us, and a robin that somehow survived a tornado. God is with us through it all, so we should fear nothing.