“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (2 Corinthians 3:17). Once again, another Black History Month has begun. The announced national theme for the 2024 observance is “African Americans and the Arts,” a focus on African, Caribbean, and African American experiences in film, music, literature, fashion, architecture, visual and performing arts, and other forms of cultural expression.

The 2024 March for Life was an important time. Yes, we still suffer from the effects of Roe v. Wade (1973), that U.S. Supreme Court decision that has so shaped the last 50-plus years of existence, so much for the worse, in our beloved nation, the United States of America. 

After the first session of the Vatican’s Synod on Synodality — which we as a Church prepared for in our parishes, nationally, and internationally — concluded in October 2023, there are many questions that the Church needs to focus on as we prepare for the second session of the Synod on Synodality, which will be held in October 2024 at the Vatican.

In 2023, for Christians, the unthinkable has happened: In Bethlehem in the West Bank, the birthplace of Jesus Christ, the place where Christmas began, Christmas has been canceled.

As people of the Jewish faith gather together to celebrate the Festival of Lights this Hanukkah season, a darkness is falling over the faithful. 

We found the most recent letter from Bishop Robert Brennan regarding diminishing Mass attendance to be a serious and ongoing situation. 

Advent, this holy season in which we find ourselves beginning Dec. 2 at first vespers, is a time of waiting and expectation. Indeed, the violet which we wear and with which we adorn the chapel is not necessarily a symbol of penance (although prayerful repentance and reconciliation is a major factor in this liturgical season), but of deep longing for the coming of the Savior Christ into our life. 

As another Christmas season comes upon us, one of the things The Tablet is blessed to run each year is the Bright Christmas Fund. The fund is one way The Tablet community can help those in need and to make sure that every child has a gift to open on Christmas morning. This week marks the launch of the 2023 campaign. 

Since the horrific Oct. 7 attack by Hamas terrorists against Jews in Israel, hate crimes in New York City have soared 135% as compared to the previous month.

America used to have a philosophy of no child left behind. Unfortunately that does not seem to be the current thinking when it comes to homeless and migrant children.