Upon hearing about some unthinkable violence somewhere in the world, the first thing I do when I get to the church on Sunday morning is pencil another intention into the prayers of the faithful. In some small way, it feels like a solemn duty.
Faith in Focus
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What my mother’s sudden death taught me about fear
As a priest, ignoring my own emotions and how they may interact with the joys and pains of another is not an option.
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What the Catholic Church can learn from my contra dance community
I would not want to replace the reverence of the Mass with the endorphin-fueled exhilaration of a contra dance. But I do want us to find ways to extend an enthusiastic welcome to all who walk through our doors.
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What 10 years in a Protestant church taught me about my Catholic faith
After a decade away from weekly Catholic worship, I realize that Roman Catholicism offers me the opportunity to see the world through the eyes of a poet.
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Why I took my 3-year-old to the Catholic Day of Action for Immigrant Children
Of course, the train ride was the highlight of his day. But I am hopeful he learned what it means to welcome the stranger.
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I’m a Catholic woman who was allowed to preach at Mass—until it was banned
Like Mary of Magdala, women who gave homilies had experienced a deep call and felt commissioned to share the good news.
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Migrant women fleeing violence find beauty and healing in embroidery
Any hand stitcher will tell you: To embroider or crochet slowly mends the spirit, stitch by stitch.
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St. Benedict: the patron saint of (recovering) workaholics
Benedict learned from experience that pushing yourself too hard can be a road to spiritual ruin. There is a fine line between work that glorifies God and work that merely glorifies yourself.
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A prayer for the migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border
An Encounter with Silence
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Why I gave up my job at NASA to become a nun
I have learned that belief is not unique to those who consider themselves religious.