

Higher Learning: Catholic colleges and universities on a mission
The economic challenges facing Catholic elementary and secondary schools have been well documented in the media. One op-ed piece in The New York Times was titled “Catholic Education, in Need of Salvation.” Since the authors focused on the elementary and secondary level, there was no refe
Becoming One: Emerging trends in the ecumenical movement
Where is the Holy Spirit leading us in the ecumenical movement? I would like to reflect prayerfully on the new springtime that is emerging gradually, quietly and peacefully. This new era in the movement will encompass the momentous gains of five decades of dialogue and also lead us closer to that fu
Of Many Things
Of Many Things
In 1963 John LaFarge, S.J., witnessed the culmination of his efforts for racial reconciliation.
Letters
Reply All
Beauty of DanceRe “Pope Francis Calls for Solidarity and Dialogue” (Signs of the Times, 8/12): More than 10 years ago in America (“Shall We Dance,” 3/25/02) I asked whether we, as the people of God, would respond to the invitation to “praise God’s name in the fest
Editorials
Egyptian Fall
The use of force by the Egyptian military has been deliberately provocative.
Books
A Traveling Man
Travel has been around since Adam and Eve were forced to leave the Garden of Eden Noah built an ark and Abram also on God rsquo s instructions took a look at all of the land before his eyes Travel writing was invented by Homer and Virgil and the Synoptic Gospels may have helped revive…
Defender of the Faith?
When the murderers of Archbishop Thomas Becket sliced off the top of his head and scattered his brains on the pavement stones of Canterbury Cathedral they could hardly have imagined the fascination their victim’s life would attract for centuries to come.
Television
The Way It Is: Behind the scenes of 24-hour cable news
Aaron Sorkin’s ‘The Newsroom’
Poetry
Missile Silos, North Dakota
Furred, the horizonsare both calling and escaping:there must be an edge.Near the bases on the prairiethe farms in silhouette seem homesick;one can imagine entering their kitchensand from the stubbled fieldsbirds rise up, hopeful.Someone stands at a windowlooking for a limit to visionbut the fields p
The Word
Who’s Missing?
When you rsquo re lost it rsquo s good to be missed it rsquo s even better to be found At the heart of spiritual lostness though is our collusion in our own absence People are not inanimate objects like coins things that can fall unwittingly into corners nor are they like sheep animals with
Commending Dishonesty?
I am not alone in considering Jesus rsquo parable of the dishonest or unrighteous manager or steward oikonomos the most difficult complex and confusing of all Jesus rsquo parables The reason for this is simple in the first verse of the parable after determining that the manager is ldquo
Who’s Missing?
When you rsquo re lost it rsquo s good to be missed it rsquo s even better to be found At the heart of spiritual lostness though is our collusion in our own absence People are not inanimate objects like coins things that can fall unwittingly into corners nor are they like sheep animals with
Columns
Coining Perfection
On May 28, 2013, the perfect human being was born in Philadelphia.
Waiting for Good Deeds
Men and women are bound to disappoint us if we focus on their words and not their deeds.
Current Comment
Current Comment
Touching Ethical Bases; For Better or Worse; Reservations on Alcohol
Generation Faith
Best of Both Worlds: Building Catholic friendships in college
As the summer of my senior year of high school drew to an end, the inevitable separation approached: I was about to venture into the world on my own, bidding my family a goodbye vastly different from the routine “see ya” exchanged before school each morning. Along with the usual changes
Signs Of the Times
News Briefs
Jean Bethke Elshtain, an ethicist, scholar and author, died on Aug. 11 in Nashville at age 72. • Calling the program “deeply needed” by many, U.S. Agriculture Department undersecretary Kevin Concannon expressed his gratitude on Aug. 19 to Catholic leaders for championing the Supplem
Tensions Lessen, but Insecurity, Fear Trap Coptic Christians in Homes
Human Rights Watch urged Egypt’s leaders to protect churches against mob attacks.
Lifting Limits on Sex Abuse Suits?
The church has lobbied intensely against a proposed bill in California.
Adjunct Professors Seek Union Representation
Will Catholic universities negotiate wages and working conditions with adjunct faculty?
Women Religious Seek More Dialogue
Members of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious announced on Aug. 19 at the close of their assembly and national board meeting in Orlando that they were pleased with the dialogue they had with the church official appointed to oversee their organization as part of a Vatican assessment and hop
Syrians Flee Into Iraq
The U.N. refugee agency said on Aug. 19 that some 30,000 Syrians had streamed into northern Iraq and thousands more were waiting to enter. “This new exodus from Syria is among the largest we have so far seen during the conflict, which is now into its third year,” said Dan McNorton, a U.N






