Columns Archive

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Synod Sojourn: Listening for Simple Whispers of the Spirit

For many Catholics, Pope Francis’ decision to call for a synod on synodality is akin to the boss calling a meeting to discuss meetings – more likely to earn a […]

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Rescued by a Pig: A Turning Point on the Titanic 

A mother understands. From the outside, Edith Rosenbaum was bursting with beauty and promise, 32 and a rising star in fashion. Her job was glamorous, working as a Paris correspondent […]

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Five Reasons Why St. Francis Is a Model of Synodality

Chesterton once wrote, “Newspapers not only deal with news, but they deal with everything as if it were entirely new.” There’s a lot of new talk surrounding synodality. But, insofar […]

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To Gain Eternity, We Must Choose to Follow God

Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time The last section of the Book of Isaiah provides this weekend with its first reading. Virtually none of the prophets of ancient Israel wrote when […]

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Doubting Thomas, Science, and the Point of Eucharistic Knowledge

Jesus said to Thomas, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed” (Jn 20:29). A recent OSV News […]

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What Catholic Parishes Can Do to Observe Hispanic Heritage Month

Every year, between September 15 and October 15, the United States observes Hispanic Heritage Month. The observance began as Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968 and, in 1988, was extended by […]

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The Joyful Heart of St. Philip

This past summer, I had the joy of participating in a conference for Church communications professionals from around the world, hosted by the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in […]

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Why We Must Keep God as Our Top Priority

Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time The Book of Sirach is the source of this weekend’s first biblical reading. Sirach’s author was Joshua, the son of Sirach. (He should not be […]

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A Salute to the Noble Work of Catholic School Teachers

I have been married to my wife for 22 years, and for each of those 22 years, I’ve worked as a journalist in some capacity or another. Whether it was […]

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The Reliable, Comforting Presence of Our Lady of Protection

It was 10:30 at night when the beeping started. The kids were all sound asleep, and we were, naturally, on the 32nd of 33 floors. Only the restaurant with a […]

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Teresa of Avila, Good Pope John and … Jimmy Buffett?

Too often lately, it feels like the offices from which we’ve historically taken our cues – our political and community leadership, the punditry, local authorities, and even some church groups […]

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Understanding Our Roles as Disciples in the Church

Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time For the first reading this weekend, the Church gives us a passage from the ancient Book of Ezekiel. Ezekiel’s name in Hebrew in effect was […]