Commentaries
An albatross of nostalgia, hanging on the Church of Philadelphia
Eric Banecker enjoys showing off the signs of America's birthplace in Philadelphia, but he knows the monuments of the church's dynamic 20th century are for the past -- not the present to which God is calling us to holiness today.
Where’s the enthusiasm for being Catholic?
Contented Catholics seem not to be notice that the quality of Catholic service is declining and the level of commitment to Catholic institutions needs to become fired up, writes Jesuit Father William Byron.
The gift of empathy moves us to action
Effie Caldarola writes that when confronted with human needs before us, empathy demands not that we turn away and say, "I've got things to do," but to stay and ask, "What can I do?"
Blessed Teresa: Witness of modern-day holiness
The process for making a saint in the church is easier than it used to be, and John Garvey is grateful because soon-to-be St. Teresa of Kolkata was a real, recent and a relevant model of sainthood for us all.
Taking the ‘Ride’ of our lives
In his On the Record column, Charlie Martin listens to Twenty-One Pilots' hit song "Ride." Its lyrics are enigmatic but he sees in this reggae-infused version of hip-hop some signs of how to live the great adventure of life.
A lost American underclass in a fractured community
Poor, angry Americans represent a complex problem expressed in today's politics, writes Effie Caldarola. Somehow, our churches must be beacons of hope and become part of a solution to rebuild strong communities.
Olney summer program’s kids share secrets of their success
The Catholic-run Out of School Time Program at St. Helena/Incarnation School in North Philadelphia recognized the achievements 18 young participants, who credit simple wisdom well learned.
Couple’s dilemma: Take 2nd job to afford Catholic school, or move away?
In their Marriage Matters column, Deacon Paul and Helen McBlain discuss the sacrifices, financial burdens and big decisions that families face in wanting to send their children to Catholic schools.
French priest’s murder shows link of the cross with Mass
What can we do in the face of the monstrous violence inflicted by ISIS on an elderly priest? Pray at Mass unceasingly, advises Philadelphia writer Kim Griffin, and share the good news of Jesus' triumph.
The call to fear and isolationism needs witnesses like Edith Stein
Effie Caldarola is worried by our political season but encouraged by the "better angles of our nature" and other Good Samaritans. Perhaps at no time in recent history have we needed those witnesses more.