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Whether It’s Abortion or Blessings, ‘Accompaniment’ Will Be Messy Default Thumbnail
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Whether It’s Abortion or Blessings, ‘Accompaniment’ Will Be Messy

It’s not an easy discussion, but it’s one Catholics should have. The United States just watched an abortion drama in Texas that ended when 31-year-old Kate Cox, then more than […]

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Remembering, and Missing, Pope Benedict XVI

A year out from his death, I dearly miss Pope Benedict XVI. He was the pope of my coming of age. The generation of priests above me feel this way about […]

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It Is Never too Late to Turn to Christ to Seek His Mercy

Fourth Sunday of Advent The first reading for this weekend is from the Second Book of Samuel. Once, the two Books of Samuel were a single volume. Translations through the […]

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Christmas in Solidarity with Christians in the Holy Land

As in all too many Christmases past, sobriety blankets the city of Bethlehem, where Christ’s birth is jubilantly celebrated each year. The joyous preparations that typically mark the approach of […]

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Like the Angels on High, Give Glory to God

You may notice a curious phrase repeated multiple times in the readings at Christmas: “Do not be afraid!” We hear it proclaimed on Christmas Eve, as the angel comforts Joseph […]

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Pray the Breastplate of St. Patrick at the Manger

Of all the things and people to be present at the birth of Jesus Christ, there were shepherds! I probably would have been more surprised if there were not shepherds. […]

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It’s Christmas Already!?

If it seems like this is the shortest Advent ever, it’s not just you. It really is. In fact, the fourth and final week of Advent this year is smashed […]

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In Advent, May We See Christ’s Coming as a Source of Peace

Third Sunday of Advent This weekend, the Church celebrates Gaudete Sunday, the name coming from the opening word of the entrance antiphon. In Latin, gaudete means “to rejoice.” Rejoicing is not […]

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Detachment as a Component of God’s Peace

Lately, I’m told by friends that it’s become difficult to get a “reaction” out of me, whether it’s about headlines or an encounter with beauty, and that I seem numb. […]

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Keep the Candle Lit: Pouring Out the Greatest Gift

Oprah Winfrey looks regal in a purple pleated skirt and matching sweater, beaming on the cover of the magazine that delivers her much-anticipated Favorite Things – “112 crowd-pleasing gifts for […]

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This Advent, Echo John the Baptist: ‘Behold the Lamb!’

I often think of John the Baptist at one particularly dramatic moment during Mass. John is the forerunner, the one who gives testimony. “I am not the Messiah,” John says […]

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Tell Me It’s Real! Contemplating the Love of Christ

As a product of the ’90s, there are certain songs that will come to my mind almost spontaneously. After reading the Gospel for Guadete Sunday about John the Baptist sending […]