Commentaries
Amid plenty, hunger
Christmas is all about the spiritual: Christians recall the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and welcome him into our hearts. Of course there is the other side, which advertising won’t let you forget. Once a year, Christmas (and Hanukkah) opens a flood of gift-buying for loved ones. The National Retail Federation projects Americans will […]
Will school choice hurt public schools?
Thousands of Catholic students attend public schools all over Pennsylvania. Supporting families in educating their children no matter where they go to school is part of our obligation to promote the common good. School choice should not be viewed as an “us vs. them” debate between public and non-public schools. Pennsylvania’s public schools and their […]
Parishes part of immigration opportunity
On a warm Monday afternoon in early September, there was a Mass in the Cathedral Basilica to welcome our new Archbishop. The Mass was followed by a cookout at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center. It was a beautiful day. Tables were set up outside and the grills were fired up. Many archdiocesan employees gathered outside and […]
A personal reflection on the Roman Missal revision
I remember sitting in the common room at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary during my second year in the theology division when a fellow seminarian posted on the board the notice that Pope John Paul II had just approved a new instruction for the implementation of the liturgical renewal called for by the Second Vatican Council. […]
Feast of Our Lady of Kibeho commemorated Nov. 28
When most people think of Rwanda they think of the 1994 genocide in which close to 1 million people were killed in the span of only 91 days. Genocide survivor and best-selling author Immaculee Ilibagiza would like to change that. She wants people to know about Our Lady of Kibeho, the only Vatican-approved Marian apparition […]
Snark attack
Once upon a time, if a Vatican document was greeted with snarky putdowns and outright dismissal, one might safely conclude that the document had something to do with sex and that the peanut gallery hooting it down was full of Catholic progressives mocking the lame-brained celibates who produced it. No longer. Take, for example, the […]
Pope Benedict’s interfaith peace summit: ‘Violence never again!’
“Yes, it is true, in the course of history, force has also been used in the name of the Christian faith. We acknowledge it with great shame,” said Pope Benedict XVI in October during the gathering of world religious leaders in Assisi for a day of reflection, dialogue and prayer for peace and justice in […]
School choice victory in the Senate
Pennsylvania students and their families are one step closer to getting assistance in exercising their right to choose a school they believe best meets their needs. Oct. 27 the Pennsylvania Senate passed Senate Bill 1, the Opportunity Scholarship Act, by a vote of 27-22. The measure will now be considered by the House of Representatives […]
School choice offers fairness, justice
“I’m failing in school. I try, but I’m not making it. I just don’t want to take another test and see another bad grade. A lot of kids in my class don’t try at all. A friend and a cousin go to a Catholic school, but my family can’t afford that. My mom tells me […]
Life to the full
Every year since 1972 the Catholic Church in the United States has chosen October as Respect Life Month. As recent events have shown, the need to proclaim the sanctity of life at all stages remains the preeminent challenge of our time.