Category: Columns

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Christopher West

Humanae Vitae and true sexual freedom

Guest Column

This column offers some reflections on Pope Paul VI’s document Humanae Vitae, which addresses the problems of all the various attacks on human life in the modern world. Paul VI identified contraception as the root cause of the “culture of death,” the twin evil of abortion.

One of the main objections to Humanae Vitae is that following its teaching (that is, practicing abstinence when avoiding pregnancy) impedes couples from expressing their love for one another. But of what “love” are we speaking: authentic conjugal love that images God, or its perennial counterfeit — lust?

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Michael Lancaster

Fruits of everyday lessons

Our Catholic Schools by Michael Lancaster

Every year beginning with the last Sunday in January Catholic schools across the nation celebrate Catholic Schools Week.

The week is a celebration of the work of Catholic schools and of their tremendous contribution to our communities, our Church, and our country. Unlike public or secular schools that educate children primarily to succeed in secular life, live as contributing citizens, participate in the democratic process, and prepare for college and work, Catholic schools educate the whole person, body, mind, and soul. Catholic schools prepare students not only for success in the secular world, but also to live as Christians who not only succeed in life, but who through their lives make the world a better place.

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Fr. Donald Lange

Catholic schools pay dividends for life

Seeing with Jesus' Eyes by Fr. Donald Lange

Catholic Schools Week is the annual national celebration of the important role of Catholic grade and high schools which emphasize not only academics but also spiritual, moral, and social values. This year Catholic Schools Week is observed from January 31 to February 6.

Its theme is “Dividends for Life.” Parents, teachers, administrators, students, and others invest valuable time, talent, and resources in Catholic schools. The dividends of their investment last for a lifetime and into eternity. According to Karen Ristau, National Catholic Educators Association president, there is no better way to invest in a child’s future or the future of the world.

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Jon Leonetti

Because my parents did!

Live Greater by Jon Leonetti

We believe, oh yes, we do believe. And it’s a beautiful thing, isn’t it? This incredible gift of faith, given by a God who wants nothing more than to spend eternity with us.

Despite our unworthiness, despite the many times we have turned away, we have a God who continually fills our hearts with this need. A need that begs us to live as we were created to live.

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John Huebscher

Church role in policy debates protected by Constitution

Eye on the Capitol by John Huebscher

Catholics are deeply involved in the debate over health care reform. Led by the bishops, acting through the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Catholics have pressed three major points: 1) health care should be accessible to all; 2) abortion is not health care and government funds should not pay for it; and 3) immigrants should have access to health care.

These positions should surprise no one. The bishops have embraced the idea that all Americans should have access to affordable health care since 1919. And the bishops have consistently opposed funding abortion and supported humane policies for immigrants.

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Fr. Donald Lange

I thank God for calling me to be a priest

Seeing with Jesus' Eyes by Fr. Donald Lange

We celebrate Vocation Awareness week from January 10 to 16, 2010. I believe that priests, deacons, and religious can help Catholics to become more aware of vocations when they share their story. With this hope, I share these reflections on my journey to priesthood.

In this Year of the Priest, I thank God for calling me to serve as a priest for nearly 40 years. I believe that I am the luckiest person on the face of God’s good earth.

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Fr. Tad Pacholczyk

Medicine and the true cost of being in denial

Making Sense out of Bioethics column by Fr. Tad Pacholczyk

Back in the early 1800s, most practicing physicians refused to believe that the simple gesture of washing their hands between patients could help prevent the spread of childbed fever among the pregnant women they examined.

Even in the face of compelling scientific evidence, they remained stubbornly opposed to the practice. As a result of this intransigence on the part of the medical establishment over a period of many years, childbed fever (also known as puerpural infection) ended up unnecessarily claiming the lives of thousands of young women.

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Sr, Margie Lavonis

Discovering God’s call

Guest Column

One of the major tasks of young adults is to discover God’s call. It is a process we all go through in one way or another.

Each of us has a unique call — one only we can answer. Discovering our call isn’t as easy as picking up the phone or texting a message to God or our pastor. It takes hard work to find out how God wants us to live our lives. We must take time for prayer and reflection that includes serious discernment.

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Msgr. Delbert Schmelzer

The loving service of Religious Sisters in the missions

Propagation of Faith by Msgr. Delbert Schmelzer

In thinking about Christmas, children are immediately brought to mind. So many children in the missions tragically live with immense suffering and violence, even war and all that comes with it. Other children in the developing world face extraordinary poverty and its related challenges.

But thanks to the work and witness of religious Sisters, these mission children also come to experience what sustains us — the message of God’s great love for us, the “Good News” proclaimed by the angels that first Christmas.

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