Ambassador Frank Shakespeare called it an “extraordinary time” following a “huge transition in human civilization.” And he was right in the thick of it all.
Author: Mary C. Uhler
United for religious freedom: Let’s join our bishops in standing up and praying for religious liberty
The Catholic bishops of the United States have called on all Catholics to unite in opposition to various threats to religious freedom in our country.
At a meeting of the bishops’ leaders in Washington, D.C., the bishops issued a statement on March 14 called “United for Religious Freedom.” The bishops said they are concerned not only with protecting the Church’s own institutions, but also with the care of individuals and the common good.
Bringing ‘drop-outs’ back: Everyone in the Church can make a difference
We hear these days that more people — especially young adults — are “dropping out” of organized religion. They say they are still “spiritual,” but they don’t want to belong to a particular church.
In the past, young people sometimes took time off from regular church attendance. There were those who shopped around at different churches to see what they were all about, but many of them ended up returning to the denomination of their youth.
Training conference empowers pro-lifers to save lives
Perhaps the highlight of the day was the tearful introduction of Mareza and her baby, Joseph.
Moral decline in past 60 years: Due to legacy of Planned Parenthood, speaker charges
During the second half of the 20th century, we experienced many positive changes in our society in the United States, including greater respect for minorities and the expansion of opportunities for women, along with advances in technology, communications, and medical care.
Can’t have one without the other: Faith and good works are both essential
Over the years, Christians have had discussions — sometimes very heated arguments — about the primacy of faith or good works.
For Catholics, it’s really not one or the other that takes precedence. It’s both. In fact, according to Scripture and Church teaching, you can’t have one without the other.
As we begin the season of Lent, it seems an appropriate time to reflect on the connection between faith and good works. Traditionally Lent is a time when prayer, fasting, and almsgiving take centerstage.
Love of Christ shines through him: Cardinal Dolan offers us insights into why he smiles so much
When I think of Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan, I picture him smiling. Of course, Cardinal Dolan can be as serious as any priest, bishop, or cardinal can be, but it’s his smile that most people remember.
Why does he smile so much? Obviously he is a happy person and he loves people. But there’s more to it than that.
My encounters with the new cardinal date back to his time in Milwaukee. I met him soon after he started his ministry as archbishop there at a meeting of the staffs of the three Catholic Herald diocesan newspapers. I noticed right away that the new archbishop’s smile lit up the room.
Sidewalk counselors save lives: Retired firefighter keeps up efforts despite health
We all know that firefighters save lives by battling fires in our homes, offices, schools, and even our churches.
There is one retired firefighter in Wisconsin, however, who is saving lives on the streets. He is not putting out fires. Instead, he is a sidewalk counselor in Milwaukee, saving lives outside of an abortion clinic.
Advice to Komen: There are better ways to find a cure
In the past week we have heard the news that Susan G. Komen for the Cure was withdrawing future grant funding to Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) and its affiliates. Then after protests from PPFA supporters, Komen reversed its decision and said PPFA would remain eligible for grant funding.
On its Web site, Susan G. Komen for the Cure says it has “become the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world.” This is a worthy endeavor. We do want our society to work for early detection, better treatment, and hopefully a cure for breast cancer.
Serving the truth with courage: Diocesan newspapers play more important role than ever
Diocesan newspapers represent “significant places of encounter and attentive discernment for lay faithful involved in the social and political arena so that they can dialogue and find convergences and objectives for joint action in the service of the Gospel for the common good.”