Opinion
Good news: Christ offers sexual redemption
By Christopher West About a month ago, I wrote a column that began to explore the difference between sexual “repression” and sexual “redemption.” It was in response to a former Catholic priest who had announced on the Oprah Winfrey show that “repression” of desire is the only choice for a person who remains celibate. Because […]
Help bring Christ to people of Oceania
By Msgr. James McDonough In every season of the year we do well to center our attention in the mission given by Christ to his disciples: “Go! And make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to carry out everything I have commanded you.” (Mt. 28:19) It is this directive which has shaped […]
Explore how to pray without ceasing
Sunday begins the Church’s new liturgical year, marked by its feasts and seasons, leading with Advent. As the days grow shorter and so many concerns vie for our attention at this time, the Church invites us to start anew. Relationships are founded on communication; the better it is, the stronger the relationship is likely to […]
Good and bad news about EITC
By A. B. Hill Pennsylvania’s 2009 state budget impasse is over; the result is good news and bad news for the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program. First, the good news. Thanks to the leadership of Senator Jeffrey Piccola (R-Dauphin County) and Speaker of the House Keith McCall (D-Carbon County) and other supporters, hundreds more […]
Church helping feed a hungrier America
People going hungry here, in the world’s richest nation? The words seem impossible to go together, but a new report this week shows it’s true. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported 49 million Americans, including almost 17 million children, experienced “food insecurity” last year. That obscure term means that one may not always be hungry, […]
Prayer from Monday to Saturday
By Msgr. Francis X. Meehan Our Eucharist is offered on Sunday. The question for this column is about how we pray from Monday to Saturday. A recent Sunday Gospel recounts the story of the blind man, Bartimaeus. His prayer is so simple: “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.” It has become a model […]
Church’s advocacy still needed in health reform
The passage of a health reform bill in the U.S. House of Representatives last weekend represented classic political compromise: among the crucial bloc of Democrats, each side got a bit of what it wanted, and everybody held their nose. Congressional pro-lifers, representatives of the U.S. Bishops Conference and others worked until the House approved a […]
It’s all about creating hope
By Edward J. Lis It is inspiring to see how many people are motivated to donate their time and money to help those less fortunate than them. Doing good deeds gives us a genuine sense of gratification that we have made a difference, but sometimes makes us think: Is there something else that we can […]
North, Dougherty closures tough for all
By Gerald J. Parsons The recent announcement regarding the closing of Cardinal Dougherty and Northeast Catholic high schools has been very difficult for many Catholics throughout the Archdiocese. Current students, alumni, parents, faculty and staff were understandably concerned and asked good questions regarding the facts that led to this result. As chair of the archdiocesan […]
650,524 ways to help
Look in any parish bulletin after Sunday Mass, and you’ll get a sense that parishioners are doing something to help people in their community. It could be preparing casseroles, holding a clothing drive, hosting Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, supporting the newly bereaved, or some other form of outreach. Thanks to a study in its third year […]