Commentaries

Resolve to be realistically better in 2018

For those who dread making New Year's resolutions, Greg Erlandson offers four practical suggestions that have staying power.

Have the holiday blues? Here’s a gift that never disappoints

It's easy to get swept up in Christmas as a day for secular celebration rather than a religious season. Our intentions aren't bad, but we get caught in the weeds that our culture is sowing. Look to the humble Blessed Virgin as a remedy, says an editorial.

The trouble with Christmas, with regards to Easter

The frenzy of Christmas consumerism is making for a bleak Christmas and driving Matthew Gambino to his knees, from which he can celebrate the feast of the Nativity, in simplicity and humility.

We all have responsibility in dealing with sexual abuse

Protecting the dignity of women is a job for everyone in society -- parents, teachers and coworkers -- writes Mary Uhler. As St. John Paul II said, "we cannot remain indifferent or resigned."

Apology is an art, not a public relations message

Apologies that take responsibility for one's action, acknowledge the damage caused by the offense and articulate a way of becoming virtuous are what allow the process of reconciliation to begin.

Constitution frowns on forcing a baker to refer gay couples elsewhere

Before we had a first amendment, the Constitution of 1789 was designed to prevent the government from making people subscribe to propositions they had religious scruples about, writes John Garvey.

Mind the moments of life, and don’t blink in a photo

Just as we don't know precisely when the camera will snap, or when we'll need to run for our lives, or when the Lord comes again, we should recall St. Mark's admonition to be ready, writes Maureen Pratt.

When Santa rides a Harley in Rome, it’s time to recover Christmas

Christmas consumerism that overtook America is making inroads on the Eternal City. Vatican visitor Greg Erlandson knows easy to grow cynical about what has become of Christmas, but he offers a remedy.

Encouraging news on abortion

Abortions have been declining since 2005 and in 2014 hit the lowest total since 1974, and the rates of abortion are dropping too, writes Richard Doerflinger. The reason, he believes: fewer teens are having sex.

Life is about waiting, and as Advent shows, it’s worth the wait

Families are made by waiting and made for waiting together, writes Laura Kelly Fanucci. In good times and in bad, our everyday Advents are the fabric of ordinary time. God makes holy our longing and looking forward.