Perspective
History and humility: An old man’s plea to young adults
The old man with the typewriter would like a word with us texters and tweeters: Don’t be a blockhead. David McCullough’s bestselling new book, “The American Spirit,” takes up a […]
Columns Archive
Perspective
Going beyond administration
While preparing for the Convocation of Catholic Leaders, I paused on a statement describing a design principle for the event. In calling for missionary discipleship, the U.S. Conference of Catholic […]
Perspective
In Light of Faith: What would you share with Pope Francis?
By Elise Italiano and Christopher White Perhaps one of the most memorable scenes of last year’s World Youth Day in Krakow, Poland, was Pope Francis sharing a meal with a […]
Perspective
The spiritual dimension — living in the presence of a friend
One of my favorite aspects of seminary life is one that took me a long time to get used to: that I live in the same house as Jesus in […]
Columns
If we have died with Christ, we will also live with him
Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Matthew 10:37-42 This weekend’s first reading is from the first of two books in the Bible that bear a name suggesting that they are about […]
Perspective
Calling God ‘Our Father’
Our last 11 grandchildren in a row have been girls, so I’ve gotten careful about asserting claims of male prerogative. But this Father’s Day got me thinking about how we […]
Perspective
A myth of neutrality
Once upon a time, we were told to allow dissent from time-honored legal and moral norms in the name of “freedom of choice.” Politicians assured us they were “personally opposed” […]
Columns
‘Even all the hairs of your head are counted’
Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time Matthew 10:26-33 The Book of Jeremiah supplies this weekend’s first reading. Jeremiah wrote at a time when life was hard for God’s chosen people. Only […]
Columns
Kathy Griffin and the vanishing of argument
By now the whole world has heard about comedian Kathy Griffin’s appalling, staged photo of herself holding a mockup of the bloody, severed head of Donald Trump. Despite her rather […]
Perspective
Led by the Spirit: Father Michael Driscoll
Full of joy and excitement for his ministry and vocation, Father Michael Driscoll will celebrate 40 years of priestly ordination this year. Although he recognized early, in second grade, that […]
Perspective
Forty years a priest: Father Phillip Widmann
Father Phillip Widmann, pastor at St. Mary Mother of God Church, recently passed a 40-year milestone in his priestly life. Ordained by Bishop William McManus on Jan. 15, 1977, at […]
Perspective
Father Edmund Sylvia, CSC, celebrates 50-year vocation
Father Edmund Sylvia’s call to the priesthood came as a result of renewal movements. He was a public school junior high school history teacher at the time, when one of […]