In “Laysongs,” mandolinist Chris Thile lays theatrics and sea captains aside and sings simply and honestly about his struggle to believe.

My parents instilled in me the lesson that no matter what life threw at me, God would always be there to guide me.

It is important to recognize and celebrate the history of Latinos in the U.S., especially in the church, where the majority of Catholics under 30 have Latin American roots.

Celebrating Mass on the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, the pope encouraged Slovak Catholics to open their hearts to a faith that “identifies with those who are hurting, suffering and forced to bear heavy crosses.”

That heartbreaking baseball defeat seeming to distill and crystallize all of it; pointing to something so bleak, sad and hopeless tucked into the fabric of everything.

In 'The Five Wounds,' Kirstin Valdez Quade depicts a family in which each member embodies human weaknesses yet remains worthy of love. Each finds they are stronger together than any of them is alone.