Commentaries
In November, a call to reform the prison culture
The logic of locking people up and throwing the key away still reigns. But some states are looking at ways to close prisons, reform prisoners and reduce crime. A Catholic organization is leading the call.
Pa. Catholics worked hard to influence state lawmakers
Joelle Shea reviews the advocacy efforts of Catholics in the state during the 2013-2014 legislative session in Harrisburg, and the issues of interest to Catholics faced by a new governor and legislators next year.
Status of PCC action alert issues
Throughout the year, thousands of Catholics in Pennsylvania contacted their legislators through the Catholic Advocacy Network. We review the status of those efforts on five specific issues.
7 ways ‘The Joy of the Gospel’ can revitalize the church and its priests
A Delaware County parish pastor explains how Pope Francis’ exhortation is renewing his priestly ministry and inspiring his parish’s new, bold and attractive expressions of faith.
Look at the contrasts of God’s abundance vs. consumerism
A misinterpretation of God's abundance has led many down the path of buying more, having more, building more, storing more, using more, wasting more, needing more, writes Carolyn Woo of Catholic Relief Services. It's not sustainable or honorable.
Diversity: The latest in parish ministry
As difficult as learning about other cultures may sound at first, it will happen faster than we think and we will do it through activities such as sports or at parish and neighborhood gatherings, writes Father Eugene Hemrick.
Find God in the people caught in one crisis or another
Columnist Effie Caldarola knows it's been a bad year for news -- from unaccompanied immigrant children to ISIS extremists to persecuted minorities -- she advises we remember the poor people in these crises, and that God is with them.
Build a better future by learning from relationships
Teens shouldn't worry about getting married just yet, writes Karen Osborne. But there's a lot they can learn about themselves and about what they want out of life by examining the people they take to the movies or prom.
Doc answers her life’s callling to fight Ebola in Africa
This is decision time for many young Americans looking toward college and career, writes Father William Byron. In choosing a career choice that will put meaning over money, they can look to a young Philadelphia doctor, a shining example of vocation.
A modern synod for a modern family
While the recent Synod of Bishops on the family was not discussed at writer Kelly Bothum's busy dinner table, she hopes conversations about divorced, homosexual and civilly remarried people who make up the church will continue.