Perspective
Embracing divine revelations, accepting the unknown
It all started with a lost birth certificate. The Holy Spirit was at work that day and hasn’t slowed down since. My aunt Jan has always known she was adopted, […]
Columns Archive
Bishop's Column: In Truth and Charity
Citizens of the Kingdom Not of This World
The following is the homily preached by Bishop Rhoades at St. Joseph Parish in Mishawaka on Nov. 25th, the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe: On […]
The Sunday Gospel
Jesus, our king, will remain with us forever
Feast of Christ the King John 18:33b-37 This weekend, in great joy and thanksgiving, the Church closes its year. As it looks back through the days and months of 2018, […]
Perspective
Giving thanks for Thanksgiving
I was in the middle of a root canal when I began to think about gratitude. To be clear, I was not performing the root canal. It was being performed […]
Perspective
After the synod, be present
By Katie Prejean McCrady So, what now? The synod on young people has finished in Rome, the final document is being translated, the bishops, auditors, experts, observers and reporters have […]
Perspective
The current crisis: how to survive
The recent revelations are stunning and abhorrent regarding Archbishop Theodore McCarrick, the Pennsylvania grand jury investigation, the sworn testimonies of Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano and the worldwide parade of shameful […]
The Sunday Gospel
Nothing is strong enough to stand against God
Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time Mark 13:24-32 The Book of Daniel provides the first reading this weekend. Michael, the “great prince” of the angels, is the center of attention. He […]
Perspective
Roots of Catholic anger
After a month out of the country, working in Rome at Synod-2018 and helping mark the 40th anniversary of John Paul II’s election at events in Brussels and Warsaw, I […]
Perspective
Sober but serene themes of judgment in the spirituals
I’ve often been impressed by the ability of old African-American spirituals to treat serious subjects in a clear, memorable and almost joyful way. This is true even of weighty matters […]
Perspective
Autumn hope — the rosary
There is a nip in the air, not just in the morning anymore, but lingering throughout the day. Sometimes it is even down-right cold. The leaves on the deciduous trees […]
The Sunday Gospel
Those who trust in the Lord are rich in the Spirit
Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Mark 12:38-44 The First Book of Kings furnishes this weekend’s first reading from the Scriptures. Political governance, in the minds of the ancient Hebrews, was […]
A more human society
On not being a vegetable
Of all the dilemmas classified under end-of-life issues, the most divisive even for Catholics has been the treatment of people diagnosed as being in a “vegetative state.” The phrase has […]