Spirituality
Hope in motion, preview of another rising: Poems for Advent
Msgr. J. Brian Bransfield, a Philadelphia priest working for the U.S. bishops' conference in Washington, offers moving reflections for the Advent and Christmas seasons through four poems.
Drawing our attention to the promise of now and forever
More even than the promise of a husband and wife in marriage, God also promises to be faithful to his people. It is a promise to ponder anew in the Scripture readings during Advent, writes Father Herb Weber.
Can remains of unbaptized son be buried with his parents?
Syndicated columnist Father Ken Doyle refers to the burial and cremation guidelines of the Philadelphia Archdiocese to answer yes -- the church never wants to separate family, in life or death.
Humility not about being polite, but accepting humiliation, pope says
"Humility without humiliation is not humility. The humble one is that man, that woman who is capable of enduring humiliations like Jesus, the humiliated one, the great humiliated one," he said.
Can you have a funeral Mass in a funeral home?
Father Ken Doyle advises a reader on the proper location of the funeral Mass, and addresses the concerns of another reader regarding overpopulation and Church teaching on reproduction.
Advent calls us to prepare for the Lord’s many comings
This season invites us to ready ourselves for Christ's arrival at Bethlehem, at the end of time, and daily, writes Msgr. Joseph Prior.
Readings of the holy Mass – First Sunday of Advent
Read or listen to the readings before Mass with these resources from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, using the New American Bible, Revised Edition.
Don’t let fear stop you from going to confession
If you've been away from the sacrament of reconciliation, it's time to return to the merciful God who longs to heal you, writes Kim Griffin. After 10 years away from the sacrament, she now sees its many graces.
Advent week one: Preparation, patience and memory
As the First Sunday of Advent approaches on Dec. 3, we welcome readers to use this first part in our four-week series as a way to prepare for Christmas, the feast of the Nativity of our Lord.
Give an Advent gift of hope to grow the light for the world
Lent has reminders of things we are "giving up," but Advent sneaks up on us. It is the great memory of the church that lets in light on a darkening world. So the next time we demand our own way, let's refuse to take it, and offer patient hope.