Commentaries
When special-needs child arrives, it’s all hands on deck
In their Marriage Matters column, Deacon Paul and Helen McBlain examine the case of how a wife struggles with her husband’s avoidance of their infant son born with birth defects.
Exploring the pope’s vision for women in the church
Whether in marriage, business or church life, women want to be partners, not subcontractors, writes Carolyn Woo.
Truth under fire: What is a lie, and what is a mistake?
Father William Byron is in the forgiveness business, so he hopes NBC News anchor Brian Williams can return as a newscaster, and not become another ethics lesson.
Remembering a great priest and leader
Father William Byron remembers the lessons of life and leadership from a giant in American Catholic culture, Father Theodore Hesburgh, who died last week.
Sacrament, not psychoanalysis
John Garvey points out a good reason to go to confession: it's good for us. God has made his mercy available. Why not take advantage?
Jailing families: U.S. should pursue prison alternatives for migrants
U.S. bishops have warned about the potential for abuses in family detention centers, and now abuses are occurring. An editorial argues immigrant children should live without barbed wire fences while their legal status is being sorted out.
Both political parties play immigrants as pawns
Between the recent executive orders on deferred deportation for immigrants, a judge's blockage of the plan and entrenched congressional opposition, Father Gus Puleo believes Republicans and Democrats share blame for failing to reform the system.
Child’s bus ride leads to deep life lessons
A children's book subtlety draws the link between worship and service, observes writer Effie Caldarola. One lesson: reply to a child's plea of "I want that" to "You have this."
Living like a strong, confident girl
Karen Osborne wonders why teen girls give up doing things they love. She condemns the pressures put on boys and girls to do and like things based on gender, which denies opportunities for positive experiences.
Using the long reach of prayer during Lent
When thinking of big numbers of people -- 114 million who watched the Super Bowl or the millions who will watch Pope Francis in Philadelphia -- you can touch them and really help them with your prayer, writes Jesuit Father William Byron.