Columns Archive

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Shepherds and Sheep

We’ve reached the point in the Easter season when the liturgy presents Jesus Christ as the Good Shepherd, tending his flock with care. When I think about this, I usually […]

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The Very Purpose of a Monstrance is to Show the Eucharist to the World

The very purpose of a monstrance is to show the Eucharist, “the living bread that came down from heaven” (Jn 6:51). The word monstrance comes from the Latin monstrare, which […]

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Many Things Are Not Permitted; Everything Can Be Forgiven

The washing of the feet on Holy Thursday, the veneration of the cross on Good Friday, the journey through the pivotal readings from the Old Testament during Saturday’s Easter Vigil, […]

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The Lord is Truly Our Shepherd

Fourth Sunday of Easter John 10:1-10 Readings from the Acts of the Apostles frequently occur during the Easter season. They clearly show not just life in general in the first […]

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How Grandma Made Her Life a Work of Art

Two parts reverence, one part mischief. That’s how I’d sum up my grandma, whose name — Elinor Marcella — captures her mix of poise and playfulness. She raised five kids […]

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Why Censoring Classic Books is Not the Way Forward

“I  don’t believe in that,” widely censored author Judy Blume scoffed in a recent interview with Variety magazine, responding to news that Puffin Books would revise Roald Dahl’s works. Dahl […]

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Why Did Christ Not Stay After the Resurrection?

After Christ rose from the dead, He appeared to His disciples at certain places and times, but did not seem to stay with them continuously. On the first Easter Sunday, […]

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Holding the Line on Brain Death

How do we determine that someone has died? The Uniform Determination of Death Act (UDDA), which has been an important part of the medical and legal landscape in the U.S. […]

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‘Communion’: For the Life of the World, ‘Come-Unity’

Thinking about Christ’s Last Supper evokes many images. The institution of the Eucharist stands at the fore. But, of course, John’s Gospel casts a different light on the event. He […]

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Seven Awesome Songs to Sing this Easter Season

“Jesus is risen and we shall arise: give God the glory! Alleluia!” It was on the final note of that refrain Easter morning that my almost 4-year-old daughter, Anne, let […]

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Have Faith — Trust in the Lord

Second Sunday of Easter John 20:19-31 With deep faith and faith-filled excitement the Church continues the celebration, begun a week and a day ago at Easter, of the Lord’s resurrection […]

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Reviewing the Holiest — and Most Joyful — Week

I don’t know how the six weeks of Lent went for you, but I was really glad when we reached Holy Week. I love the liturgies and traditions that we […]