A Fish Out of Water
My grandmother did not pass on to the afterlife without leaving me something. After a life that spanned nearly a century, three generations were on hand to send her off to her Maker. Her funeral was simple and heartfelt, if a bit unorganized. The priest asked my aunt, just before the procession bega
Shrouded in Mystery
In response to criticisms of the mistreatment of Palestinian Christians in Israel and the Israeli-controlled Palestinian Territories, I am often asked, “Don’t Christians also suffer persecution at the hands of Muslims in the Arab Middle East?” There is no simple answer.Yes, the Uni
Fading Faith in Free Trade
In a Presidential election year that has evoked controversy about trade, it is especially tempting to cast the opinions about the issues into pro-free trade versus anti-free trade molds. But that dichotomy obscures the real issues and muddles public discussion and decision-making.A little-noticed po
Servant Leadership
After the terrorist attacks in the United States on Sept. 11, 2001, Southwest Airlines was the only airline that made a profit, kept all its workers on the job and actually adhered to its full flight schedule. The next year, while other airlines cut thousands of jobs, Southwest hired thousands and f
The Perils of Freedom
When I saw Joe again, my first thought was: I want to kill him! Slowly if possible, though quickly would do in a pinch. Just so long as I could tell him why he had to die before he breathed his last.Joe had come back to prison, and to old-timers like me that was the…
Letters
Letters
Reasonable Reply
Your article Celebrating Good Liturgy, by Nathan D. Mitchell, (5/10) reminded me of a Mass I attended in Costa Rica years ago. During the Mass a barefoot man played My Old Kentucky Home on his violin. I thought it was a strange selection for a Mass.
My brother Neil, military attach at the…
Editorials
Smuggling and Trafficking
Smuggling and trafficking in human beings is on the rise, and with that rise has come an increase in victims’ suffering. Throughout the world, they are treated simply as commodities, often in ways that are physically and psychologically brutal. Although there are differences between smuggling
Books
Village Scandal, Mountain Spirits
Until recently South Africa rsquo s fiction has been totally dominated by apartheid But in 1992 the government of F W de Klerk won a mandate for political reforms that led to an official end to apartheid and the creation of a power-sharing multiracial government and since that time many have wo
From Dutch to Diverse
Russell Shorto fires a powerful salvo in the war of words over America rsquo s origins Forcefully contesting the ingrained notion that English settlements set the mold for American values he mounts a convincing case for an alternative scenario in which the Dutch-sponsored colony of New Netherland
Film
Hogwarts Haven: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Reality leaves a great deal to be desired. Reading the morning paper feels like an ongoing suicide pact with the universe, and listening to NPR without several doses of Prozac in hand can threaten one’s tenuous grasp on sanity: Iraq, terrorism, environment, fundamentalism, economy, abuse, AIDS
The Word
I Just Love…
Have you ever noticed how often we hear the phrase ldquo I just love rdquo ldquo I just love to watch the sun set over the lake I just love the smell of the grease and the hum of the engines I just love the feeling of being in lsquo the zone rsquo I just…
Mi Casa, Su Casa
Whenever we travel on vacation we are dependent on the hospitality of others We may have to pay for it but the quality of their openness to us either enhances or detracts from our enjoyment Through hospitality we are made to feel as if we are at home And when we feel at home we…
News
Signs of the Times
Bishops Approve 2004 Abuse Policy AuditsThe U.S. bishops have approved on-site audits this year of all U.S. dioceses to monitor compliance with policies to prevent sexual abuse of children. The vote was 207 to 14 in favor with one abstention, according to a news release issued in Denver on June 15 b
Politics
Faith
Culture
Vatican
Scripture
Podcasts