William Kennedy did for his hometown what Joyce did for Dublin, what Bellow did for Chicago, what Faulkner did for his fictional Yoknapatawpha County. He became the bard of a particular time and place and, through it, continues to explore universal themes.
US Politics
Posted inTelevision
The long-awaited spin-off to ‘The Office’: ‘The Paper’ is a mockumentary with heart
In the first episode of Peacock’s new sitcom, “The Paper,” Ned Sampson, played by Domhnall Gleeson, declares, “I love a challenge. That’s why I’m so good at Lent.” And indeed, the show itself did have a few challenges to tackle. “The Paper” has been touted as the long-awaited spinoff of the 2005 sitcom “The Office,” […]
Posted inDispatches
Catholic food pantries adjust Thanksgiving deliveries to ICE deportation realities
As Thanksgiving and Christmas approach and ICE deportation efforts continue, Catholic parish food pantries are adapting to make sure immigrant community members have all they need to celebrate the holidays when they are afraid to leave their homes.
Posted inShort Take
In Zohran Mamdani’s New York City, expect Catholic social teaching in action
Zohran Mamdani’s platform shares far less with state socialism than with a foundational text of Catholic social teaching: “Rerum Novarum.”
Posted inNews
Chicago Catholic coalition sues ICE over denial of holy Communion, pastoral care
A group of clergy and religious, and a Catholic social justice organization filed a lawsuit Nov. 19 against the Trump administration over being barred from bringing holy Communion and pastoral care to detainees at an immigration processing center just west of Chicago.
Posted inThe Weekly Dispatch
We know how to fight global poverty. But do we have the will to actually do it?
While affluent nations step back from humanitarian relief and economic development assistance, the world is on the verge of reversing progress against global poverty.
Posted inNews
Nick Fuentes appeals to young Catholics. Is the church prepared to push back?
As bishops remain mostly silent on Christian nationalist Nick Fuentes’s growing influence, Catholic media leaders and scholars are left to explain what his rise says about the church’s shrinking authority online.
Posted inDispatches
North Carolina’s Catholic response to the ICE immigration crackdown
As an ICE campaign continues in Charlotte, local Catholic parishes respond and mass attendance plummets.
Posted inDispatches
Inside a public witness and prayer for immigrants at a New York City courthouse
The procession lasted more than 90 minutes as temperatures dropped and hail gave way to bursts of freezing rain. Marchers, bundled in scarves and gloves, pressed on, walking past security officers who observed in silence from behind metal barricades.
Posted inThe Weekly Dispatch
The government shutdown has ended. But America’s hunger crisis continues.
With food insecurity on the rise across the country, SNAP became a political football during the federal shutdown as President Trump saw the program as leverage against Senate Democrats.