Commentaries
Should you be giving up Facebook for Lent?
It is not hard to become hooked on Facebook like a gambling addict is on casinos, writes Mary Solberg. But like dark chocolate, whose benefits improve our health, Facebook has benefits, too.
Making the case for kids amid a love fest for pets
Pets are nice, but Greg Erlandson points out how children are God's wonderful gift. He counts the five ways kids counter the impression that dogs are the new children, but better groomed.
Ease consequences of loneliness with human connection
We need to challenge ourselves to be connected with lonely people by inviting the neighbors over or putting down the remote and the phone and laughing with someone, writes Effie Caldarola.
Prayer: Leading us not into temptation
Maureen Pratt tells of a scientific study that showed people who pray frequently are better able to gain control of their thoughts -- resisting temptation, achieving goals -- than those who pray infrequently.
Shame adds to pain of slavery for 30 million addicted people
Those trapped by substance abuse know what they’re doing to themselves and others is wrong, but without help they’re unable to stop. We may be tempted to judge them, but they need our love instead, writes Gina Christian.
Three truths that parenting taught me about Lent
The simple fact of family members bumping up against each other's needs and flaws can teach us volumes about humility, forgiveness and faith, writes Laura Kelly Fanucci.
Gun violence is a bigger problem than armed teachers can fix
Richard Doerflinger applauds a range of solutions to the crisis of violence, but arming teachers isn't one of them. Instead, look deeper at the lack of father figures and alienation among boys, he advises.
For children’s sake, find the courage to combat gun violence
A guest editorial advises Catholics start with prayer to stop school shootings, that God may "burn in your heart the courage to stand up," said Greensburg, Pa., Bishop Edward Malesic. "We have to start taking action to stop this carnage."
‘Boys will be boys,’ or is it time to man up?
A couple disagrees over whether to cut their teenage sons some slack, or to rein them in. Deacon Paul and Helen McBlain advise honest discussions, and above all, prayer.
Catholics want better preaching, but are they listening?
A good Sunday homily is more than a one-way broadcast for priests and deacons, writes Father Thomas Dailey. He notes that Pope Francis has called for brief homilies and for listeners to open their hearts to God's Word.