Urban planning is an inherently Catholic practice This urban planner’s work is shaped by Ignatian spirituality. Growing up Catholic in Chicago, urban planner Jamie Kralovec has made the study of cities his life’s vocation. For him, it’s a vocation that combines the practical discipline of urban planning with a deep Ignatian spirituality. Kralovec attended a Jesuit […]
6 stories of vocations interrupted by the pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic changed work for many. But a more expansive theology of vocation reminds us that God calls us always. My colleague Jane and I met over Zoom with a congregational leader in Brooklyn, New York a few months into the COVID-19 pandemic. Tears flowed as […]
Two very different parishes point to divisions in the church Is Catholic pluralism fostering hard-rock divisions in the church? Two Sunday morning Masses in Charlotte, North Carolina, seen via video posted on each parish website, tell a story. At St. Peter Catholic Church downtown, a Jesuit community, Mass goes on much like it does in […]
Lakota Catholic tradition gives new meaning to the rosary Like Black Elk, measure time by the number of rosaries you can say on the way. When I think of the Lakota way, many sacred items come to mind. The Sun Dance tree. The čhaŋnúŋpa, or sacred pipe. The drum. The prayer flags and the rosary. Many […]
6 works of art that bring new meaning to the Eucharist A serving of contemporary eucharistic art gives witness to Christ’s kingdom. What does Eucharist call us to be? How does Eucharist shape our lives? Scripture scholar and Blessed Sacrament Father Eugene LaVerdiere wrote an influential book with the evocative title Dining in the Kingdom of […]
May 26, Wednesday GREATNESS THROUGH SERVICE In the first reading, in a prayer God is asked to show his greatness and holiness to all peoples by showing them his marvelous deeds. The Gospel tells us that the great God will save people through Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who came as a servant […]
Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time Here Is a Teaching That Is New Jesus’ Healing Words and Hands Greeting Jesus spoke to people the Good News of healing and life. He speaks this same Good News to us here in this assembly. May his words stir our hearts and bring us healing and life. May […]
Third Week In Ordinary Time Why Are You Afraid? Introduction Faith is a trust and commitment that express themselves in a mentality, an attitude of one’s whole life that sees beyond the appearance of things and lives accordingly, with total trust in God’s future. This kind of faith moved Abraham, the pagan, to […]
Third Week In Ordinary Time The Kingdom Grows Quietly Introduction We hear for the first time that the “Hebrews” for whom this letter was destined had to undergo persecution and various difficulties for following Christ. The author encourages them vividly to persevere in their faith, for God is faithful to his promises. The […]