Catholic. Pastoral. Trusted.
Several weeks ago, I attended a coed baby shower. Such couples parties were uncommon when I had my children. Then, it was a women-only event, which (in my experience) most men appreciated. Am I validating gender bias to assume that many men would rather, say, watch sports than check out...
Cover Story 10 Seasons of Glory: The cycles of God’s “cathedrals of nature” herald the changes we feel during the deepening stages of prayer, Barbara Hughes Features 16 “I Believe…”Catechism’s “Profession of Faith” states our core beliefs in Timeless Wisdom for Troubled Times, part 2 of 5, Sara Beth Meyer...
I was disappointed in your magazine after I read the story titled “The Do-Overs” by Kerry Sloan (May-June 2018). I was a little leery when the story started with an elderly gentleman, John, who was disappointed that he hadn’t died on his seventy-fifth birthday after his psychic told him he...
Things I never thought I’d see: Reports on the prime-time nightly news cautioning viewers not to drive or perform other daily tasks while blindfolded (search “bird box challenge” online if you’re unfamiliar). A warning on a hair dryer that reads: “Do Not Use While Sleeping.” A public-service announcement by a...
Features 16 What Catholics Should Know About Islam: Its Five Pillars open the door for dialogue. 22 How to Survive Being Married to a Catholic: Excerpt: Success in marriage is a matter of being the right person. 24 Catholic Daughters of America: Profile: A mission of spirituality and service for...
We’ve known all our lives that February 14 is Valentine’s Day, a time when we honor those we love. But arguably more significant and lesser-known celebratory dates about love precede the 14th, when roses and candy fly from shops into loved ones’ arms. February 7-14 marks the annual celebration of...
I am sending this in response to Henry K’s letter (November 2018) about dropping the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The history of the decision on where to drop the atomic bombs clearly shows that civilian targets were deliberately chosen—one reason being for the shock value to the Japanese...
I’ve never been a proponent of procrastination. In fact, the more I detest a chore or activity, the quicker I’m likely to attack it with gusto. I reason that the relief I’ll feel once it’s completed will far outweigh the displeasure of performing the task at hand. If there are...
I turned on the nightly news and the headline screamed at me: “Scandal Rocks the Catholic Church.” As a cradle Catholic I could not help wondering what would it be this time? Those pesky Arians or maybe those Gnostics…Did someone start another Reformation and I missed it? Investiture could have...
Feature Story 10 New Series: Timeless Wisdom for Troubled Times: The four pillars of our Catechism matter more to our world than ever. First of five articles, Sara Beth Meyer Features 14Paradise Lost: Authors help people cope with tragedies. 16 Blessed Francis Seelos: A Shining Light of Everyday Pastoral Care: With...
Each new year, we’re bombarded with sentiments of encouragement and hope, called to new aspirations, and filled with vigor to achieve an improved sense of self. Benjamin Franklin may have said it best: “Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year...
Cover Story 10 Celebrating Mary: Our Perfect Guide to Jesus. God’s gift of life is wrapped in the gift of choice. How will you use it? Carol Monaco Features 14 “My Time with Thomas Merton” Merton guided millions and made time for one. Jack Guidry 18 John Stands Apart: The unique fourth...
I’m writing in regard to the letter published in September 2018 from a reader in response to a “Dear Padre” column titled “The Catholic Position on Holy Communion.” She eloquently presented the position of many inside and outside the Church who don’t understand why holy Communion should be received only...
My ninety-mile round-trip commute to work each day enables me to listen to podcasts, those audio narratives that offer a variety of content. I dabble in everything from true crime to humor, welcoming the chance to mull over what’s said, delve deep into my heart and mind, and respond. While...
Cover Story 10 Persevering for Peace; Stories from the field of life spotlight how peace can triumph in the face of family problems, massive threats, and senselessness. Carole St. Laurent Features 14 Old Money: Of Shekels and Drachmas; Coins of antiquity lead to a richer understanding of Jesus and his times. Fr....
The recent article titled “Why Should You Go To Mass?” (September 2018), is greatly helpful and instructive. For me it reiterates in clearer terms why I have chosen my whole life to go to Mass. The article also helps me as a parent, grandparent, and one who works professionally with...
“Take time to smell the roses” may sound like a cliché, but it encapsulates my lessons learned recently while visiting my middle daughter in God’s gorgeous acres nes tled in the Adirondack Mountains of Upstate New York. Mackenzie, having just completed a degree in historic preservation, was fulfilling a summer...
Cover Story 10 Spirituality for Youth, Fr. Eugene Tiongson-Batungbacal, CSsR, and Emily Ferguson Features 15 “To Whom Shall We Go?” Guest Editorial, Fr. Patrick Keyes, CSsR 16 St. Luke: Evangelist, Physician, Historian: His focus on women makes him unique, but that’s not all. Theresa Doyle-Nelson 20 The First American Martyr: Blessed Stanley Rother: priest, farmer, servant. María Ruiz Scaperlanda...
How the Young Emulate God “Jesus is not the Lord of comfort, security, and ease. Following Jesus demands a good dose of courage.” —Pope Francis at a prayer vigil at the thirty-first World Youth Day (WYD), Krakow, Poland, July 30, 2016 At this event in St. John Paul II’s home...
I can’t help but comment on the article in the April issue, “Our Role in God’s Peace Plan.” Articles like this are illuminating this contemporary issue. We certainly learn as Catholics not to hate others and to counter other’s hateful actions with something besides hate itself. However, the author promotes...