Mind&Spirit—What is suffering? One way to define suffering is the rupture between your future as you pictured it and the reality of what your future will actually be. This is easy to see in the case of the loss of a loved one, especially a sudden loss. The future we thought we had with that…
CNA, Diocese of Brooklyn—Fr. Brendan Buckley, OFM. Cap., had never heard of the Zoom before this past March and the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. After his home in the Diocese of Brooklyn became a center of COVID-19 illness in the United States, he learned. With the help of two parish employees, he has now…
When the Coronavirus pandemic first hit, the Catholic Church was among some of the first organizations to “self quarantine.” Public worship was quickly shut down, including Masses and confessions. Unfortunately, as time has passed and safety procedures are being developed, little effort has been made to reopen the sacraments, even during Easter week, and even…
An interesting article, written by a London-based human rights lawyer working on counter-terrorism laws and states of emergency, published in an African news journal and concerning important observations applicable to all, even in the U.S.—ed. African Arguments—The pandemic is a real emergency and the perfect excuse for a power grab. We must monitor abuses and…
CNA—The Catholic governor of Louisiana has asked fellow citizens to pray and fast on March 24 for those affected by the coronavirus. Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) announced on Monday evening that he and the state’s First Lady will fast on Tuesday, in the middle of both the season of Lent and a global pandemic. “In…
March 19, 2020
On March 19, we will celebrate the Solemnity of St. Joseph. The Litany of St. Joseph invokes his intercession under the titles Spouse of the Mother of God, Foster Father of the Son of God, and Head of the Holy Family. St. Joseph is called the Glory of the Domestic Life and Pillar of Families. In this Year of the Family, it is fitting that…
Italian Air Force gives its countrymen a boost of hope and encouragement as the country combats coronavirus releasing this video… The lone black plane represents coronavirus fleeing before Italy’s national flag and valiant endurance as Pavarotti sings Nessun Dorna (Let No One Sleep) and lyrics that include vencermos (We will overcome) in the background.
Churches closed. Quarentine. Lockdowns. But Italians spread joy and hope from their balconies! After seeing these videos, I’m looking for a balcony, good Italian Catholic neighbors, and maybe some good vino and olive oil to stave off starvation … What could be better in a lockdown crisis? See for yourself: In Siena – neighbors in…
Achieving the elite rank of Eagle Scout is displayed proudly on the resumés of many prominent, ethical business achievers, nonprofit leaders and even some pro-athletes, astronauts, and many Catholic leaders today. Great achievements, it has been said, began with scouting. While it remains to be seen how that will work out with girls now being…
The Colorado legislature has voted down legislation that would have protected a baby that survives an abortion. House Bill 1068 would have mandated that physicians provide medical care to a child born alive after or during an abortion. Violation of the proposed law would carry a civil fine of $100,000, enforceable by the attorney general,…
CNA—Bishop Thomas Paprocki of Springfield in Illinois issued a pastoral guide last month regarding diocesan policies on gender identity, expounding on existing policy that schools and other diocesan institutions will recognize students and adults by the biological sex with which they were born. In the guide, Paprocki noted the need to approach the issue with…
I remember it well! At home our little manger of the nativity was always set up in our front sitting-room. In the candle-lit darkness I would gaze into it for hours-on-end and the whole Christmas story came really alive for me. Seeing Mary and Joseph, the babe, the shepherds, the cows, donkey and sheep made…
As I skim a few headlined stories below, it strikes me that in seven years or less a new generation of career-launching young adults will enter our businesses and companies with an entirely different mental outlook from even those of the last 10 years. Either these new young professionals will enter the workforce with remarkable…
The true story of Irena Sendler, a Polish Catholic woman who helped smuggle thousands of Jewish children out of the Jewish ghetto in Warsaw during World War II, will feature in a new historical thriller film produced by and starring Israeli actress Gal Gadot. Gadot, an Israeli actress well-known for her 2017 role as Wonder…
It’s been 10 years since the Great Recession ended. Yet, despite robust economic growth and low employment over the past two years, births in the United States have continued to plummet. Before the Great Recession, the fertility rate—the number of children women have on average during their lifetimes—had been on the rise. But once the…
South Bend, Ind., Oct 7, 2019 —CNA— The University of Notre Dame announced Sunday that Vicki Thorn will receive the 2020 Notre Dame Evangelium Vitae Medal in recognition of her pro-life efforts. Thorn, founder of Project Rachel and executive director of the National Office of Post-Abortion Reconciliation and Healing, will receive the award at an…
This bishop is inspiring and practical! – CBJ ed. CNA—In many ways the Ruthenian Eparchy of Parma, a local Church of the Byzantine rite in the midwestern United States, faces the same problems as the Church throughout the world: shrinking and aging parishes, fallout from scandals, financial strain. But they feel them perhaps all the…
God spat out the lukewarm. He was very clear there was no place for the lukewarm in His Kingdom. For most of us, that’s typically where the matter ends. Stand up for principles that matter, don’t be a doormat, and get on with life. But as a young professional, I’ve begun to notice how often…
The Sexual Revolution must be understood as a process, or else it becomes incomprehensible. Those who promote it will never be satisfied with its present phase. They will always be pushing the envelope to the next new aberration. Few people ask, however, what the next new sexual frontier will be. No one should be shocked…
NY Times: “The inaction of Great Britain …. has been not only absurd, but almost criminal.” The recent talks on Capitol Hill about reparations for African American slavery has reignited the topic across the country. Generally, politicians on one side are in favor of monetary reparations to be paid to current descendants of former slaves…
