Columns Archive

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Perspective

Come on in

When I was a boy, there was a revolution in Hungary against the communist government. The Soviet Union put it down brutally. Several hundred thousand Hungarians fled the country, some […]

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Perspective

How the world has failed Lia Thomas

When Will Thomas was in his sophomore and junior years of college at the University of Pennsylvania, he decided that he was a woman, began hormone replacement therapy and changed […]

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Perspective

Encountering God leads to conversion, eternal life

Third Sunday of Lent Luke 13:1-9 In the first reading from the Book of Exodus, Moses encountered God. Moses was tending his father-in-law’s flock when suddenly an angel appeared and […]

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Perspective

Lessons from Ukraine’s witness

Putin’s war is teaching us something about ourselves, if we are paying attention. The scenes of brave Ukrainians standing in front of tanks, making Molotov cocktails, picking up arms to […]

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Perspective

Allow God to fill you up

Normally I scroll past things like this, but something about it caught my eye. One of my friends had reposted a lengthy message on Facebook — basically what amounts to […]

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Perspective

The poison of gossip

Just last week, I was at St. Joseph Abbey in Covington, Louisiana, not far from New Orleans. I was there to address about 30 Benedictine abbots from around the country […]

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Perspective

God’s love shows through in the Transfiguration

Second Sunday in Lent Luke 9:28b-36 The Book of Genesis is the source of the first reading. It is a story about Abraham, whom the Jews regard as the father […]

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Perspective

Too much morphine?

To help people navigate some of the complex decisions involved in end-of-life situations, the National Catholic Bioethics Center offers a free and confidential consultation service via e-mail or phone. Often […]

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Perspective

Lenten assignment: Be grateful

True gratitude is a grace, or gift, from God. It proceeds from a humble and transformed heart. We do not render thanks merely because it is polite or expected or […]

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A more human society

A zeal for expanding premature death

When supporters of physician-assisted suicide announced in 1993 that they would sponsor a ballot initiative to legalize it in Oregon, they had bigger plans in mind. Coalition leader Dr. Peter […]

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The Sunday Gospel

Faithfulness to God gives strength to His people

First Sunday Of Lent Luke 4:1-13 The Book of Deuteronomy provides the first reading for this first Sunday of Lent. Deuteronomy looks to the days when the Hebrews were fleeing […]

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Perspective

Thank you, Sister Norma Pimentel

Sister Norma Pimentel, a Mexican-American Catholic sister born in Brownsville, Texas, daughter of immigrants, serves as the Executive Director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley. She has become […]