Commentaries

Halloween, All Saints’ and All Souls’ point to ‘thin places’

It's the time of year when the veil separating this world with the next seems porous, writes Effie Caldarola, who on a chilly autumn walk considers the holy ones in her life.

Just how partisan is the Supreme Court?

Among the issues of a too-conservative or too-liberal court faces, abortion is the 800-pound gorilla in the room, writes Richard Doerflinger. He traces its legal, and partisan, fault lines.

The hypocrisy of the federal spending debate

Sister Karen Donahue gets angry when lawmakers denigrate low- and middle-income Americans as “moochers,” while proposed spending on social programs would cost half, at most, of the $7.7 trillion in military spending over a decade.

My 32 years of ministering to the ‘good children’

Father Dennis Weber reflects on the privilege of his ministry to persons with intellectual disabilities at Don Guanella and Divine Providence Village. He finds people with Down syndrome are very happy, even as they are becoming victims of a new genocide.

Lessons from a COVID-19 infection

Greg Erlandson's breakthrough COVID infection, now that he is better, has him grateful for the kindness of his wife and friends while quarantined. But he is haunted by 700,000 deaths in the U.S., and those who are still dying unnecessarily.

Knowing when it’s time to pivot

Planned Parenthood founder Margaret Sanger believed birth control was "the pivot of civilization," preventing the "human waste" of the "unfit" from burdening society. After decades of contraception and abortion, we must turn back to the author of life, writes Gina Christian.

Synod calls us to listen to the Holy Spirit, and one another

The archdiocese, along with all other local Catholic communities in the world, is beginning a period of listening -- to one another and to the Holy Spirit -- writes editor Matthew Gambino. It will take courage both to share our journey of faith, and to listen to people on the margins.

Now boarding: Sidetracked by COVID, teen finds purpose on life’s train

For St. Hubert High School senior Jadzia Santiago, time stood still when school was shut for the coronavirus last year. It was a difficult time, but she realized that God has a plan for everyone like a train journey, and she can help others find a window seat.

Relearning the first song we ever heard

Cutting-edge research shows the voice of the mother provides the child in the womb with a melody for life -- and with more than 73 million abortions worldwide per year, we must reclaim the music of the human spirit, writes Gina Christian.

This World Mission Sunday: Tell your story

There is power in sharing our stories of faith, for both the speaker and the listener, writes Shemaiah Gonzalez. We remember God's goodness to us. After a year of darkness, it is time to share the story of how Jesus brings light to your life.