Commentaries
‘Creative courage’ for the new year
The elderly who have survived COVID do so because they are experts at crisis competence, observes Sister constance Veit, who urges trust in God with confidence and perseverance.
Norbertines see sign of growth across tumultuous 900 years
It may be a precarious time for the religious order with its local monastery in Paoli, but in its long history something new has emerged: a collaboration with lay men and women.
A final requiem for extraordinary nun, Black Catholic champion
The death of Oblate Sister Mary Reginald Gerdes and all that she did to recover, preserve and disseminate the history of the church's Black faithful was especially wrenching, writes Shannen Dee Williams.
Looking to the feast of human presence in 2021
The lack of human presence -- a prolonged fasting -- during the year of COVID may give way this year to a renewed appreciation for real connection now and in eternity, writes Brett Robinson.
3 ways to take advantage of year-end charitable giving
If you want to support a nonprofit you care about one more time in 2020, there are significant advantages and spiritual benefits, explains Sarah Hanley of the Catholic Foundation of Greater Philadelphia.
Seven ways to make ‘cancelled Christmas’ the best one ever
Virus concerns and public health mandates mean this Christmas will look different than Christmases past. But that doesn't mean it can't be meaningful and memorable in a good way, writes Kendra Tierney.
Contemplating the closeness of Jesus in year of separation
Separation has been an everyday phenomenon this year, and that includes our Christmas season. But the Incarnation challenges us to rediscover God and embrace hope.
A Christmas prayer of the imagination: To hold the baby Jesus
One Christmas day Jesuit Father Rick Malloy used the Ignatian method of contemplation and pictured himself in the Nativity scene. Mary invites him to accept her Son: "Do you want to hold him?"
We need a lot of Christmas this year, so bring on the holly jolly
People have railed against the "forced gaity" of the commercialized Christmas, but Greg Erlandson suggests this year we dive fully into the joyful traditions of the season.
Seven ways St. Joseph shows the heart of a father
In this year of St. Joseph, writer Jennifer Settle explores how Pope Francis holds up the foster father of Jesus as the model of God's own heart for all his children.