Columns Archive

Sex education ‘opt-in’ bill receives hearing in House committee Default Thumbnail
Perspective

Sex education ‘opt-in’ bill receives hearing in House committee

A bill to establish the state’s sex education program as an “opt-in” rather than an “opt-out” program received a lengthy hearing in the House Education Committee on Feb. 15. The […]

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Perspective

America magazine’s survey of women in the Church

Last month, America magazine published a fascinating survey regarding the attitudes of women in the Church. They were kind enough to publish a few of my reactions to the study, but I would like, in this […]

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Bishop's Column: In Truth and Charity

Rite of Election 2018

The following is Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades’ homily during liturgies at St. Matthew Cathedral, South Bend, Feb. 11, and the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Fort Wayne, Feb. 18, which […]

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The Sunday Gospel

God establishes His covenant with us through baptism

First Sunday of Lent Mark 1:12-15 The first reading, from the Book of Genesis, presents the familiar story of Noah. It is a story of contrast and of the consequences […]

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Perspective

Pork Roll, Lent, and Catholic identity

A few weeks before Ash Wednesday, an Associated Press squib with Lenten implications appeared in the Washington Post sports section: “* YANKEES: New York’s Class AA affiliate in Trenton, N.J., […]

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Perspective

The placebo effect

Thomas Jefferson once said: “One of the most successful physicians I have ever known has assured me that he used more bread pills, drops of colored water, powder of hickory […]

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Perspective

Racial healing and God’s mercy

In 1961, there was a best-selling book called “Black Like Me.” It was the story of a journalist named John Howard Griffin, who changed his skin color from white to […]

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The Sunday Gospel

Jesus manifests the healing love God has for us

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Mark 1:40-45 The first reading for this weekend comes from the Book of Leviticus. In sequence, Leviticus is the fourth book in modern translations of […]

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Perspective

Lenten listening: What do you hear?

There is an ongoing debate in our home on how well my husband can hear. He doesn’t always catch the conversation, particularly so in noisy venues. Sometimes I will loudly […]

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Perspective

Finding beauty

Recently, I stopped to chat with a young mother — who shall remain nameless — after Mass. We talked briefly about this and that, but not without a few self-deprecating […]

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Perspective

Truly empowering women?

The biggest news at the Golden Globes this year was not which television series won the most honors. It was Oprah Winfrey’s speech, saying of the “brutally powerful men” in […]

Waltzing on ice: on crisis and community Default Thumbnail
Perspective

Waltzing on ice: on crisis and community

When it came time to interview prospective sailors for his expedition across Antarctica, Earnest Shackleton had clear-cut criteria. He had to pick the right men for his journey to the […]