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Family UnityI second the Rev. Robert P. Imbelli in “Family in Focus” (12/8). Father Imbelli emphasizes the importance of prayer in this process of discernment, and I would add Scripture to that. I am reminded of the Gospel reading at my wedding, “That they may be one,” from J

Not A Choice“The Loneliest Choice” (12/1), by the Rev. Rhonda Mawhood Lee, disappointed me greatly. While pastoral reflection on suicide remains a crucial topic, the article seems to hark back to pre-Enlightenment days, when there was little understanding of grave mental illness. Fo

Giving ThanksRe “Retiring With Dignity,” Mary Ann Walsh, R.S.M. (10/17): Sister Mary Ann couldn’t be more correct in her description of complex decisions facing congregations of men and women religious today. The National Religious Retirement Office provides significant financial a

Family RevelationRe “Go in Peace” (Editorial, 11/10): St. Pope John Paul II, in “Familiaris Consortio,” states that “The Christian family is a specific revelation and realization of ecclesial communion, and for this reason too it can and should be called ‘the dome

Market Measures“Market Assumptions” (11/3), by Bishop Robert W. McElroy, is a thoughtful, well-reasoned and inspired explanation of Pope Francis’ statements on income inequality and how some cultural assumptions in the United States make a full appreciation of his critique and chal

Our NeighborsRe “Listening to Ebola” (Editorial, 10/27): If people want to know what America is all about, here it is. Sadly, greed still triumphs in health care. And too often fighting abortion overshadows caring for the millions of children who die every year for lack of basic necessit

Community SolutionsI would encourage readers to read Mr. Kennedy’s essay, “Dignity For All” (10/20), carefully, beginning with, “We convinced the government to put the park under local control…. We set up a community reinvestment fund so that a portion of every entranc

Back to BasicsIn “Preferential Options” (10/13), Congressmen Paul Ryan writes, “Before we can repair the safety net, we have to repair the thinking behind it.” The safety net is needed to keep people from falling so far down financially that their basic needs are not met. Unt

All Are WelcomeAs a mother of five children, four of whom have A.D.H.D. and two of whom also have an autism spectrum disorder, I am grateful for the welcoming attitude in Brian Doyle’s “Suffering Children” (10/6).I was a squirmy, talkative young child and more than once had to be s

Guilty NationRe “Prison Possibilities,” by Valerie Schultz (9/29): Ours is a crazy society. We believe that sending someone to prison for life will somehow restore justice in the world for a loved one whose life was cut short. At a rate of 716 people per 100,000, the United States incarc