Since the suicide of his 29-year-old daughter Katie, who had bipolar disorder, Deacon Ed Shoener has made it his mission to reduce the stigma and misconceptions around mental illness in Church circles and to guide parishes in creating their own mental health ministries.
While studying to be a teacher at St. John’s University I was told the story about a classroom filled with energetic third graders. The teacher, attempting to teach a lesson on the virtues of patience, delicately explained the concept when a curious young boy raised his hand, his eyes sparkling with innocence.
Each year, the March for Life is an opportunity to bear witness to the unique dignity of each human being made in the image of God with an irreplaceable part in the human family. Thousands join me on the cold streets of the nation’s capital to remind our leaders of their sacred obligation to defend innocent human life.
As the young students filled The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis, each proudly representing their college as many of them waved flags with their school colors, you could cut the electricity with a knife.
Over 55 years ago, when I was on retreat at Weston, the Jesuit philosophate and theologate in Cambridge, Massachusetts, I was surprised to hear music at a liturgy that I had not heard before. Liturgical folk music had been around for the several years since Vatican II had concluded, but it seemed to me to lack the vibrancy one might like.
For abortion’s opponents, it has been a frustrating year. When it came to the courts, the prolife movement scored its most significant victory when the U.S. Supreme Court in 2022 reversed its 1973 decision calling abortion a constitutional right.
“Who knew it was this much fun?” This phrase encapsulates the sentiments expressed by the young Church when describing their profound experiences at the National Catholic Youth Conference.
This phrase encapsulates the sentiments expressed by the young Church when describing their profound experiences at the National Catholic Youth Conference.
I have a confession to make. But I’ll get to it later because, after all, you can’t rush a good confession, and I haven’t finished examining my conscience yet anyway.
If you are a letter writer, a highlight of Advent is the opportunity to put pen to paper and greet friends and loved ones with Christmas cards reminding them that they are close to your heart in the great celebrations to come. For me, a good cup of coffee, Christmas music in the background, and a stack of Christmas cards and felt-tipped pens is a cherished ritual of Advent.
