My parish decided to “own” the response to the sexual abuse scandal. One year later, this is what we’ve learned.
Faith in Focus
Posted inFaith, Faith in Focus
My wife left me after 30 years of marriage. Jesuit spirituality helps me love her now.
I pray we are merely on temporarily divergent, independent journeys to our best personal selves so that, someday, we can meet again downstream in conjoined bliss.
Posted inFaith, Faith in Focus
What one man’s honest, uncensored response to the Eucharist taught me about faith
As the rest of the congregation, myself included, averted our eyes as our Lord stood in our midst, this man did not look away.
Posted inFaith, Faith in Focus
The prayers of the faithful in the wake of massacres
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.
Posted inFaith, Faith in Focus
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.
Posted inFaith, Faith in Focus
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.
Posted inFaith, Faith in Focus
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.
Posted inFaith, Faith in Focus
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.
Posted inFaith, Faith in Focus
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.
Posted inFaith, Faith in Focus
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.