Commentaries
In the Year of Mercy, open doors of mercy are everywhere
Maureen Pratt chooses to see doors of kindness and empathy as opportunities for growth and light, even amidst the pains of illness.
CRS Rice Bowl: The little box that goes a very long way
Dropping coins, and a bit more, into the donation box is a time-honored practice that serves poor people and builds community locally and around the world, writes CatholicPhilly.com editor Matthew Gambino.
A message from St. Valentine: Sacrifice yourself in love for others
Msgr. Ralph Chieffo recalls two models of love, the story of the ancient saint’s defiance of the emperor, and an adult graduate of his parish school.
Kids, stop nagging parents to move into senior housing
In their Marriage Matters column, Deacon Paul and Helen McBlain discuss how an elderly couple, happy in their family home, hear the pleas of adult children who think Mom and Dad should downsize.
Ashes: An urgent call for our souls
Although church attendance numbers are high on Ash Wednesday, it's not a holy day of obligation, explains Carolyn Woo. But it is an invitation to begin a journey to soften our hearts.
Pope and patriarch will take historic first step toward healing
When Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill of Moscow meet this week, it will be the first of its kind. Msgr. Gregory Fairbanks explains what is at stake and the role all Christians play in the work toward Christian unity.
Picturing Jesus: Our ‘Buddy,’ or joyful savior?
Attempts to lighten up the image of Our Lord in art have often gone awry, notes Gina Christian, because they miss the necessary idea that Jesus suffered death so as share eternal life -- and laughter -- to everyone.
Get to know people in poverty and how to ease its sting
In addressing human suffering, Pope Francis asked "What will you do?" last fall in Philadelphia, recalls CatholicPhilly.com editor Matthew Gambino. He's encouraged by a new local parish initiative on poverty.
Respect the uniqueness of unborn persons, like the snowflakes of a blizzard
As Jesuit Father William Byron was one of the 85 million Americans experiencing last week's snowstorm, he thought about the more than 50 million lives lost to abortion in the U.S.
Why does the church back resettling Mid-East Muslims in the U.S.?
Normally Father Ken Doyle won't respond to letters expressing blatant anti-Muslim bias, but since other people might share such views, he confronts the topic head on.