Perspective
Can the Laity Save the Church?
There’s a good chance that Russell Shaw is one of the most prolific contemporary authors and commentators on the Catholic Church that you may never have heard of. Defiantly unretired, […]
Columns Archive
Perspective
What Battles Are We Losing When the Holy Water Fonts Are Dry?
In Chapter 31 of her autobiography, the 16th-century Carmelite St. Teresa of Avila – one of four female Doctors of the Church, including her spiritual daughter, St. Thérèse of Lisieux […]
Perspective
When We Follow Him, God Gives Us Strength in Our Trials
31st Sunday in Ordinary Time The Book of Malachi provides this weekend’s first reading. The prophet’s name, Malachi, reveals his role. In Hebrew it means “messenger of God.” As a […]
Perspective
Following the Saints or Followed by the Saints?
We like to think we follow the saints, but sometimes the saints follow us. As I walked home from class in Tours, France, I had an irresistible urge to explore […]
Perspective
Leap of Faith: Taking Risks, Beginning Anew
I’ve been following the press around the most anticipated biography of the year: “Elon Musk” by Walter Isaacson. I’m interested in the controversial innovator as well as the author’s writing […]
Perspective
Managing the Growing Chorus of Opinions
As our children get older, the number of voiced opinions under our roof seems to be growing exponentially by the day. Blessing 1 wants to listen to one particular kind […]
Perspective
Christians Have Duty to Love Others – Even in Public Discourse
30th Sunday in Ordinary Time The Book of Exodus provides this weekend with its first reading. In ancient Jewish tradition, Exodus came from Moses. Therefore, in a most special way, […]
Perspective
Permitting Enemies Comes with Rules – for God’s Sake and Ours
Since Oct. 7 – the date on which Hamas launched its attack on Israel – I have been trying to understand something incomprehensible. There is a lot that has happened […]
Perspective
Access to Your Newborn’s Blood?
Many parents and concerned citizens would probably be surprised to learn that their children’s blood samples are being accessed by law enforcement agencies without their knowledge or consent. In 2021, […]
Perspective
U.S. Politics Needs an Infusion of Aquinas’ Decency and Idealism
One needn’t be a big fan of U.S. Rep. Kevin McCarthy to see the California Republican’s ouster as Speaker of the House of Representatives as a significant low point in […]
Perspective
An Understanding of ‘Repay to Caesar What Is Caesar’s’
Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time The second part of the Book of Isaiah provides this weekend’s first reading. The context is a very bad time for God’s people. The two […]
Perspective
Speaking Only to God or About God
In my home parish of St. Joseph in South Bend, we are blessed with the presence of the priests and brothers of the Congregation of Holy Cross, a religious order […]