As odd as it sounds, the song’s uncertain quality is actually quite fitting. Unlike other popular carols, “Emmanuel” is a song not for Christmas but for Advent.
The case came as an unhappy shock to Catholics all over the United States who might have hoped that years of procedural changes would have put an end to the ordination of priests like the Rev. Robert McWilliams.
The chairman of the U.S. bishops’ pro-life committee urged all people of goodwill to pray that the Supreme Court will overturn Roe v. Wade in its ruling on Mississippi’s ban on most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy.
Sondheim’s stories and lyrics always seemed to be addressing you personally. You couldn’t simply watch his musicals. Eventually you had to contend with them.