Perspective
The stories we tell, the lessons we learn
When I have reunions with my brothers and sisters, at some point we start telling stories about growing up. Invariably, we will remember events, good and bad, from different perspectives. […]
Perspective
Going buggy with Brood X
When I first learned of the imminent arrival of the 17-year cicadas, Brood X according to those who name such things, it brought to mind my years in the Midwest. […]
Perspective
Caring for Mom as Mom cared for me
There is a particularly unexpected twist in the saga of many families when the child suddenly starts acting the parent and the parent resembles the child. It is not a […]
Perspective
Numbers down and ‘nones’ up, where to now?
As if the bishops needed anything more to worry about these days, Gallup released a poll just before Easter documenting a sharp decline in religious membership among Americans over the […]
Perspective
One year later, measuring our gains and losses
One year ago, I left my office for what I thought was a few weeks. Soon, I was wearing gloves to the grocery store and sanitizing the groceries when I […]
Perspective
How badly do we want to return?
What if you were a Catholic who had not seen a priest in 60 years? What if you had not seen a priest in one year? Jesuit Father Anthony Corcoran […]
Perspective
Them’s fighting words!
When Father Angelo Bianchi, a wonderful Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions missionary, married my wife and me, he gave us some bad advice. Oh, it sounded good at the time. […]
Perspective
Celebrating our anniversary with Pope Francis
It’s not often you get the pope to celebrate your birthday, even if it’s your 100th. Catholic News Service turned 100 in the midst of the pandemic, so it took […]
Perspective
A new day and an offer to engage
Inauguration Day began with a private Mass of Thanksgiving held at St. Matthew’s Cathedral in Washington, for the Biden family and congressional leadership. The inauguration itself started with an invocation […]
Perspective
Stepping back from the brink
Jan. 6, 2021, was an epiphany of sorts for Americans who watched in horror as a mob breached the U.S. Capitol, assaulted police and vandalized offices. It was both shockingly […]
National
Doctrine committee sets standards for evaluating, improving church hymns
WASHINGTON (CNS) — Expressing concern for the doctrinal soundness of some of the lyrics of Catholic hymns now available for use in Catholic liturgies, the U.S. bishops’ doctrine committee in […]
Perspective
For unto us a child is born
There is nothing like the birth of a child to make one appreciate Christmas. Four times, I have experienced such Christmases. Now I am experiencing my fifth. It was the […]