Columns Archive

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Bishop's Column: In Truth and Charity

The shining example of the Holy Family of Nazareth

Following is the homily delivered by Bishop Rhoades on the Feast of the Holy Family, Dec. 31, 2017: On this first Sunday after Christmas, while we are still immersed in […]

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Perspective

On cracked knuckles and self-care: a resolution for 2018

The themes emerge predictably. When it comes to New Year’s resolutions, we gravitate toward the biggies: Get healthy, get organized, get a life. We vow to travel more, read more, […]

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The Sunday Gospel

A model for our own Holy Family

Feast of the Holy Family Luke 2:22-40 (A selection of readings is possible for this feast.  These comments refer to one set of readings.) The Church always celebrates the Sunday […]

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Perspective

Repeat after me

The Supreme Court heard arguments this month in Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission, a case about whether the government can make a Christian baker design a cake celebrating […]

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Perspective

A plea for our fellow Catholics

This Advent, stop worrying about Christmas presents and hanging lights, negotiating mall traffic or scouring the web for the perfect gift. This Advent, imagine that you and your family lose […]

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Perspective

The ‘bitter pill’ of false liberation

A major study published on Dec. 7 in the New England Journal of Medicine concludes that hormonal contraception increases the risk of breast cancer for women. The research used all […]

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The Sunday Gospel

David’s kingship is fulfilled: To God be the glory

Fourth Sunday of Advent Reading: Luke 1:26-38 The first reading for this weekend is from the Second Book of Samuel. Once the two Books of Samuel were a single volume. […]

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The Sunday Gospel

Prepare the way for the Messiah, the Son of the God in whom we rejoice

Third Sunday of Advent John 1:6-8, 19-28 This weekend the Church celebrates “Gaudete” Sunday, the name coming from the opening word of the Entrance Antiphon. In Latin, “gaudete” means “to […]

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Perspective

The risks of overusing antibiotics

When penicillin was first discovered in 1928 it was a godsend for patients and physicians. Thousands of lives were saved by successful treatment of serious bacterial infections. Now we have […]

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Perspective

Pinpricks of Light

I had a dream last night. It was just a brief moment, almost like a page in a storybook. In the dream, a husband and wife were lying in bed […]

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Perspective

Are we distracted receivers?

As we prepare for Christmas, I am sure many readers have had the experience of thoughtfully selecting a gift for a child and laboriously tracking down the item. The present, […]

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Bishop's Column: In Truth and Charity

St. Vincent de Paul and St. Juan Diego

The following is the text of the homily delivered by Bishop Rhoades at the annual Mass with the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Fort Wayne on Dec. 9 at […]