Who says theology and spirituality books aren’t good for beach reading? A well-balanced diet of mysteries, romances, legal thrillers, and Catholic Social Teaching texts is ideal during the summer months. Here are five favorites: 1. The Holy Longing by Ronald Rolheiser If someone asked me to explain why I love Catholic spirituality, I’d hand them this book.… Read More Millennial’s Summer Reads: MJL’s Picks
Since Philadelphia abortion doctor Kermit Gosnell was convicted of three counts of first-degree murder yesterday afternoon, I’ve been reading and reflecting on the news. There’s no way to make sense of human life taken in such a horrific way, but here are five thoughts that are resonating in my heart. 1) The juxtaposition of Mother’s… Read More Five Reflections After the Conviction of Doctor Kermit Gosnell
National Catholic Reporter senior correspondent and CNN’s Vatican correspondent John Allen was the keynote speaker at the Diocese of Camden’s Justice for All Dinner last week. John is one of the most respected Church observers, and he provided invaluable coverage throughout Pope Benedict’s resignation and all that followed. At the end of his talk here,… Read More “First an Earthquake, then a Hurricane”: Life & Justice Interview with John Allen
As the tragedy in Boston unfolded Monday, it felt close and far away at the same time. Close because of photos and cell-phone videos and Facebook posts from friends who were nearby when the bombs exploded. (“I’m safe. Thank you for the prayers. Keep praying.”) Far away because, well, Boston is a six-hour drive from… Read More Tragedy in Boston: How We Can Respond From Distant Places
When I was in second grade, the pastor at our family’s parish invited me to be one of the 12 folks to participate in Holy Thursday’s foot washing. (I think I was invited because spring vacation coincided with Holy Week that year, and my mom had taken me to daily Mass a few mornings during… Read More Holy Thursday: Radical Call to Be Served and to Serve
Habemus Papam! And this new Pope we have is one who hails from the developing world, took public transportation to work, decided to live in a small apartment in Buenos Aires instead of the Archdiocesan palace, and cooked his own meals. A Pope who, when he was made a Cardinal, asked people from Argentina not… Read More Pope Francis I (Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio) Stands With the Poor: Quotes on Justice
The staggering news from Monday remains on our hearts and minds as Lent begins. So today’s post consists of five beautiful life & justice quotes from Pope Benedict XVI good for our journey toward Easter, from this USCCB compilation and elsewhere. BXVI has truly been a life & justice, both/and Pope. His deep commitment to social… Read More 5 Pope Benedict XVI Quotes on Social Justice
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