Challenges for a (Somewhat) Pro-Life Congress
The November 2002 elections were notable for at least two reasons. First, they improved the position of the party holding the White House in both chambers of Congressan almost unheard-of event in an off-year Congressional election. Republicans slightly increased their majority in the House of Repres
The U.S. Ecumenical Scene Today
The Second Vatican Council (1962-65) set in motion gradually expanding sets of relationships between the Holy See and other Christian churches and communities. Because the United States is home to so many other Christian groupings, the ecumenical opportunities and challenges here have been greater t
Of Many Things
Of Many Things
My grandmother lived with us as I was growing up—a source of consolation who often shared her breakfast with me and who read to me when I was sick. Grandmothers not only play a supportive role in the lives of many children—in some cases they stand out as the single source of love amid ho
Letters
Letters
Firmly Resolve
The Sisters of St. Joseph taught me to say, I firmly resolve with the help of Thy grace to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. It strikes me that avoiding sin and amending life are the same, although I used to think that the resolution to confess sins was…
Editorials
Criminal Justice American Style
The U.S. Department of Justice reported in April that the incarcerated population of the United States has topped two million—men, women and yes, children too. Drug offenses account for a large proportion of those currently behind bars. Even low-level drug offenders regularly receive long sent
Books
Spirit-Filled Companion
With the publication of Truly Our Sister A Theology of Mary in the Communion of Saints Elizabeth A Johnson has reached a challenging theological goal that she set for herself almost a decade ago It was Johnson rsquo s initial desire to write a book on Mary and include a chapter on the communion
It’s Not Who We Are
I have only once in my life lacked shelter I was visiting a friend in Rome to join him on a tour to Assisi He was supposed to book me a room at his hotel My friend a well-meaning but proverbial innocent abroad told me he figured to save me money if I shared his…
The Emerging Confederation’
Perhaps no period in the history of ancient Israel is as controversial as the two centuries between the Exodus from Egypt and the establishment of kingship in the late 11th century B C E under Saul and his successor David Contemporary views run the gamut from essential acceptance of the biblical t
Television
The Year in TV
Certainly the biggest story in and on television this year was the war in Iraq. The calculated decision by the Pentagon to embed in the theater of war all manner of journalists (including reporters from MTV and Men’s Health magazine) greatly increased the quantity of news stories filed during
Poetry
To Things Cursory
Maybe it was the scraping and flung petals, the orange
The Word
Who Is God?
Who is God? God is “the infinite divine being, one in being yet three Persons”— so says the catechism. Direct question, concise answer. It is all so simple on paper, but it sounds so impersonal.
The Mercies of the Lord Are New Every Morning
What were once two feasts, Corpus Christi and Precious Blood, are now one celebration.
Columns
A Lesson for Children
On the Monday holiday honoring Martin Luther King Jr., my two older daughters and I have for some years participated in a march for peace and signed a “Women for Peace” petition. It is a small rite of passage. Those daughters, now in college, signed their way through their formative year
Faith
Who Is God?
Who is God? God is “the infinite divine being, one in being yet three Persons”— so says the catechism. Direct question, concise answer. It is all so simple on paper, but it sounds so impersonal.
The Mercies of the Lord Are New Every Morning
What were once two feasts, Corpus Christi and Precious Blood, are now one celebration.
News
Signs of the Times
Dioceses and Charities Hurt by Economic UncertaintyWhile Catholic Charities agencies are facing new demands for assistance, an April poll showed that nearly three-fourths of Catholics across the nation are hesitant to give more money to charity because of concerns about their own personal finances.
Politics
Faith
Culture
Vatican
Scripture
Podcasts