Commentaries
10 reasons why going to church can make you feel better
Everybody has reasons for going to Mass. Here are writer Shannon Bowen's top 10. She hopes to change the recent and unfortunate steady decline in Mass attendance.
Setting goals to pave a path toward a dream
Revelations from newspaper articles and recent health studies suggest that setting goals may be the best thing for your mind, body, and soul.
Facing a new reality
With the Supreme Court's sweeping legalization of same-sex marriage June 26, the church is facing a difficult road ahead -- a truth spelled out in the pointed remarks by the four dissenting justices in the Obergefell v. Hodges ruling.
Memories of a saint from my time
The May 23 beatification of Salvadoran martyr Archbishop Oscar Romero stirs memories of the only saint I ever met while he was alive, writes Moises Sandoval.
Charleston tragedy should drive us to, not away from, church
Carole Norris Green sees the elephant in the room: God is calling us all to prayer, every day, and not just on weekends. It is a nonviolent but powerful response to evil.
Resistance to Pope Francis’ encyclical
Big companies and politicians are downplaying or attacking the environmental encyclical, Laudato Si, writes Father Eugene Hemrick. He hopes its prudent questions lead to greater knowledge.
Hit the open road of a moral life, even while driving
John Garvey's Pennsylvania road trip drove home the wisdom of cultivating virtue in one's life, not unlike keeping one's hands on the wheel and putting aside distractions while driving.
Hospitality is not just for people you know
Avid runner Karen Osborne felt left out from a clique of runners recently, an eerie throwback to high school. Reaching out to others outside one's circle can give a boost to people who need it.
What I learned at college: There’s always time for faith
Melanie DeFrancisco just finished her first year at Penn State. She found out that her Catholic faith was not a temporary feeling but a permanent gift to live out.
Be on time, and make the world run better
Columnist Maureen Pratt has advice for recent grads and anyone: When we strive to be on time, many positive and potentially life-changing things can happen.