Previous Columns by Our Guest Columnists

• Nativity Pieces Stir Awareness Of God’s Coming

  At the age of 17, I was not thrilled with the gift. My mother had been going on for over a month that my sister and I were getting expensive Christmas presents, and in my delusional mind that meant a car, so imagine my disappointment when I woke on Christmas morning to a large cardboard […] English

  By DELORES SCHWEITZER, Commentary
  Published: December 22, 2005

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• Youth Make Many Sacrifices To Attend NCYC

  ATLANTA—“Lean into it.” There were a number of inspiring sound bites from the 2005 National Catholic Youth Conference held in Atlanta from Oct. 27-29, but one that resonated repeatedly with those gathered was this phrase passed on by charismatic speaker and performer Steve Angrisano, who served as the event’s emcee. Angrisano recalled his experience attending […] English

  By SUZANNE HAUGH, Special Contributor
  Published: November 3, 2005

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• Remembering Our Dead On All Souls Day

  November 2, All Souls Day, has a new relevance given the recent global disasters. This time when we contemplate our deceased loved ones we will surely remember also those lost recently by way of storms and earthquake. All Souls Day is observed universally but in different ways. In Mexico, Dia de los Muertos is celebrated […] English

  By FATHER JOHN C. KIERAN, Commentary
  Published: October 27, 2005

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• Hurricane’s Distress Touches Seniors, Who Respond

  Voices are a funny thing. Sometimes it’s not what is said, but rather what is felt, that sends up an immediate alarm. The quiet tones of my mom’s quivering words echoed loudly to me that something was wrong. “Are you all right?” I asked. Her response was slow and deliberate. “I’m OK, but have you […] English

  By DENISE HAINS, Special Contributor
  Published: October 20, 2005

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• Spiritual Direction Helps Relationship With God Grow

  One of the ways that a person can grow in one’s relationship with God is through a process that has become more common among people seeking a way to improve that relationship. This process is known as “spiritual direction” and is a major apostolate, in addition to weekend retreats, at Ignatius Retreat House. What is […] English

  By FATHER ALBERT LOUAPRE, SJ, Commentary
  Published: July 21, 2005

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• Popes’ Message, ‘Be Not Afraid,’ Fosters Hope

  Published: July 21, 2005 Many people throughout the world have seen Mel Gibson’s movie “The Passion of the Christ.” While the movie looks at the last hours in the life of Jesus, we also got a rare glimpse into the lives of the disciples. Peter especially stands out. He was one of the first disciples […] English

  By FATHER PAUL A. BURKE, Special Contributor
  Published: July 21, 2005

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• Coping With Terrorism

  A chill shot through me when I awoke July 7 to hear that a series of bombs had exploded in London. As the morning wore on, I thought: “Now we have another anguish to cope with. How much more can we take?” At this moment of high anxiety, we need more than ever to keep […] English

  By FATHER EUGENE HEMRICK, CNS
  Published: July 21, 2005

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• God Gave Us ‘The Ultimate Wedding Gift’

  When I first met my husband Rick, I was attracted to him by his Patagonia fleece and hiking boots. I thought, “He must like the outdoors.” As I started to get to know him, I was more attracted to his amazing knowledge of our Catholic faith. I was a cradle Catholic with 12 years of […] English

  By CARRIE HUEBNER, Commentary
  Published: July 21, 2005

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• Pope John Paul II’s Motto, Totus Tuus, Is Our Prayer

  Over the past couple of months, Catholics have witnessed extraordinary events in the life of the Church: our beloved Holy Father, “Pope John Paul the Great,” was called home by God to his eternal reward. After his funeral, the cardinals elected Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger as his successor, who became Pope Benedict XVI. And then, on […] English

  By FATHER PAUL BURKE, Commentary
  Published: June 2, 2005

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• Love Of Pope Draws Youth Minister To St. Peter’s

  Where were you when you heard that Pope John Paul II had died? I’m sure that moment will be vividly impressed in all of our minds and hearts through the years. For me, walking into a high school friend’s wedding just after getting the phone call of the news was one of the biggest swings […] English

  By KRISTI JEFFRIES, Commentary
  Published: April 21, 2005

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• ‘Chicken Offertory’ Deepens Meaning Of Giving

  The procession began at the far entrance. Slowly a group of six swayed and turned in rhythm with the escalating music. Gift bearers and congregation all happy in song to elongate and dwell on the sacred act of presenting at the Lord’s table. This liturgical moment defined who these people are and expressed the earthy […] English

  By FATHER JOHN C. KIERAN, Special Contributor
  Published: March 3, 2005

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• Commentary: The Samaritan Woman Who Encountered Jesus

  During Lent, thousands of catechumens throughout the nation are preparing to receive the sacraments of Christian initiation, baptism, confirmation and the Eucharist, at the deeply inspiring Easter Vigil. Accompanying the catechumens are numerous candidates—those who are already baptized but wish to embrace the fullness of the Catholic faith and deepen their commitment to Christ through […] English

  By FATHER JOSEPH A. FAHY, CP, Special Contributor
  Published: March 3, 2005

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• Human Trafficking Takes Advantage Of Tsunami

  A form of modern-day slavery, human trafficking occurs when unscrupulous individuals prey on those who are poor and infrequently unemployed, lacking access to social safety nets, predominantly women and children in certain countries. Trafficking “feeds” the sex slave market, which is a worldwide billion-dollar business. Sexual predators believe they can go overseas and engage in […] English

  By JOAN LUCAS, Special Contributor
  Published: February 24, 2005

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• Rite’s History Recalls Joyful, Persevering Faith

  When the Roman emperors were still at the height of their glory and Christianity was a crime, any external observer would think that the prospects were gloomy for the nascent Church. Nero had decreed that practicing the Christian religion was a crime against the state, treason punishable by death. The Church had no armies with […] English

  By FATHER THEODORE BOOK, Special Contributor
  Published: February 17, 2005

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• Editorial: Where Do We Go From Here?

  In his 2005 World Day of Peace message, “Overcome Evil With Good,” Pope John Paul II writes, “No man or woman of good will can renounce the struggle to overcome evil with good. This fight can be fought effectively only with the weapons of love.” He states, “The inner logic of Christian love, which in […] English

  By TOM REICHERT, Special Contributor
  Published: February 10, 2005

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• Remembering Father Kelly’s Marriage Talk

  I read an article recently that said you should have a vision for your marriage. Companies do it; why shouldn’t couples? I smiled when I read it and was grateful that we already had one. Grateful to the late Msgr. Robert Kelly for giving it to us. We met with three priests during our six-month […] English

  By MISSY FECAS FILLION, Special Contributor
  Published: February 10, 2005

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• Jesuit From Atlanta Witnesses Tragedy In Sri Lanka

  The plan was to get up early Sunday morning, Dec. 26, to head north from Trincomalee to Nilaveli Beach to see about catching a skiff to Pigeon Island to go snorkeling. Of course, the idea of getting up early the day after Christmas did not sound too inviting, but I liked the idea of seeing […] English

  By FATHER R. BENTLEY ANDERSON, SJ, Special Contributor
  Published: February 3, 2005

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• A Cold Priest Considers Why Winter’s Come South

  Well, here I am stuck in my home in an ice storm on the last Sunday of January, with no electricity. I’m unable to get out to Mass due to shut down roadways. I’m able to heat chicken noodle soup on the wood-burning stove, so thank God for little favors. Upset and frustrated, I’m trying […] English

  By FATHER GILES CONWILL, Special Contributor
  Published: February 3, 2005

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• Slavery In The 21st Century

  Believe it or not, slavery is alive in the 21st century! Today slavery commonly is referred to as “human trafficking.” But regardless of its name— “slavery” or “trafficking”—this modern version is every bit as evil as the slavery of the past. UNICEF, the U.N. Children’s Fund, estimates that 1.2 million children are victims of human […] English

  By TONY MAGLIANO, CNS
  Published: July 15, 2004

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