Commentaries

Leading from the center, not the top

In a "geometry of leadership," Jesuit Father William Byron prefers leaders standing in the center of a circle to the precarious top of a pyramid.

When commenting on service, honesty need not be brutal

Offer criticism of your customer service experience with kindness and compassion, and you make a brighter, more livable world, writes Maureen Pratt.

Practice austerity before nature makes it mandatory

Father Eugene Hemrick sees in California and Oregon two examples of living with less, and how hard it can be for people to accept change.

A code of civility for the Internet

After reading the means things people wrote about a dying woman's decision, Erick Rommel thinks online wags should disagree without being disagreeable.

Trip to Mars begins in a classroom

The history of flight and its future into space wouldn't be possible without teenagers learning from those dreamers who went before, writes Karen Osborne.

Listen to the cries of the poor — and act

More than 45 million people in the U.S. live below the poverty line. An editorial argues that fighting poverty, in all its complexities, requires us to protect human life and dignity.

One-child families may change society

In a world in which birthrates are falling and one child becomes the family norm, John Garvey wonders what will happen to brother love and sisterly affection.

Help for 50 million refugees starts with 5

Columnist Effie Caldarola joined volunteers to spruce up an apartment to welcome some of the worldwide refugees settling in the U.S. with loss, yet hope, in their hearts.

Business school trains today’s church leaders

A partnership between the Archdiocese of New York and Villanova offers a master's in church management, which is what the church needs, writes Father William Byron.

A Chrism Mass moment of hidden beauty

St. Charles seminarian John Howarth had a busy day serving around the altar for the Chrism Mass on Holy Thursday. He witnessed a profound priestly gesture untold until now.