Commentaries
Before troubles erupt, put energy into prevention
The car, the refrigerator and the computer all broke at the same time, but Maureen Pratt knows the way to prevent breakdowns in relationships is to strengthen the fabric of our world before it frays.
‘Rise,’ and overcome your doubts
In his review of pop star Katy Perry's new song "Rise," Charlie Martin writes that God has placed his divine purpose into all of our lives. We can trust that even if our goal becomes elusive, God will guide us.
When overextended teens burn out, their health suffers
Just as burnout happens with adults, teens can be affected by stress, lack of sleep and constant emotional and physical overexertion. Maria-Pia Negro Chin suggests healthy habits to put balance in your life.
At election time, remember the things that really matter
We can and we will have better election campaigns because our future depends on it, writes Jesuit Father William Byron. He suggests shortening the process to six weeks and to getting money out of politics.
The beginning of life, the beginning of rights
Writer Ellen Giangiordano notices some public figures can't say when a person's rights begin, even though Founding Fathers such as Thomas Jefferson knew exactly when those rights begin: with conception.
‘Digital immigrants’ around the family holiday table
Bill Dodds tells his grandkids about the "old country" -- the paper-and-pen world where he grew up -- and they are clueless about it, just as he was about his grandparents' childhood. Still, words of faith and family remain universal.
Her gift was an empty room, and she opened it for a refugee
Effie Caldarola sees a divine gift, and sacrifice, in her London friend's decision to open her home to a boy from war-torn Eritrea, one of millions caught in the worst refugee crisis in living memory.
How the presidential election is like a runaway trolley
John Garvey uses a moral philosophy thought experiment to look at how turning left leads to one tragedy, and turning right to another. He wonders how the brakes failed in this election, and where we steer from here.
Report’s aim of ‘peaceful coexistence’ steamrolls religious freedom
Archbishop William Lori says everyone should be disturbed by a proposal that says the government can force people to do things they believe are wrong, and that charities can be coerced into activities that undercut their mission.
To help bring up a tough topic with a friend, stay humble
Charlie Martin gives a listen to Shawn Mendes' recent hit, "Treat You Better." While it's not easy to share something difficult with a person, the place to start is with a quality that the song's character appears to lack -- humility!