Commentaries
These days, making small talk is a big job
From personal sensitivities to taboo topics, making casual conversation is harder than ever. Maureen Pratt offers ways to avoid the potholes, get to know one another and communicate Christ.
Climate change as a pro-life issue
The problem of climate change is a human life issue of enormous proportions, according to a guest editorial. The church has an opportunity to use its resources, academic experts and parochial structures to educate people. The solution lies in a love for God's creation as much it does in our instinct for self-preservation.
When mystery shows up, walk with it
The moon appeared in columnist Effie Caldarola's spring evening and ushered in a prayer that helped her see the divine mystery of new life and the "thin veil" separating us from those who await us in eternity.
Get busy doing nothing
Father Eugene Hemrick writes of three ways we can cut through the noise and busyness of life to find the great gift of silence, where we can hear the voice of God.
Papal encyclical on oil not such a crude idea
All the world would benefit from a social justice document on petroleum, and Catholics could learn a lot from renewed teaching on the sacrament of anointing of the sick, which uses holy oil, writes Jesuit Father William Byron.
Turning an evil at Harvard to a good
The protest against the "black mass" included a eucharistic procession through Cambridge attended by thousands, followed by a standing-room-only crowd for adoration at St. Paul's Church. The result was a small victory against blasphemy and a way to talk about the real presence in the Blessed Sacrament, for a large local and national media audience.
What overturning marriage law means for Pennsylvania
Defending traditional marriage, even after this week’s court ruling that legalized same-sex marriage in Pennsylvania, doesn’t preclude loving our homosexual family members and friends.
Italy’s real-life ‘Sister Act’ turning heads toward Christ
Reality TV star and singing sensation Sister Christina is wowing Italian audiences and showing one way of the new evangelization in the Catholic Church.
Papal letter on water would be a great gift to the world
Our faith-based respect for life calls for action now on the world's water crisis, for without water there can be no human life or any life at all, writes Jesuit Father William Byron. He thinks it would be wonderful if Pope Francis wrote an encyclical letter on the material and spiritual dimensions of the crisis.
Memories of a Jesuit in Syria, and the church’s newest martyr
Father Frans van der Lugt knew that he would most likely be killed for his 50-year devotion to all the people of Syria. He reminds columnist Effie Caldarola of Jesus, who knew as he turned toward his final journey to Jerusalem that death awaited him.