Here are some quotes from a terrific new interview with the philosopher Charles Taylor in the NC Register: I think in Benedict’s case, he was really one of those people who fully took on board the importance of Vatican II, and the freedom and the importance of our recognizing that we’re responsible for our faith… Read More Charles Taylor: We Need To Reactivate Our Sense of Solidarity

Highlights from Bishop Robert McElroy’s 2019 MacTaggart lecture: It is my reluctant conclusion that the church in the United States is now adrift on many levels, and that a fundamental moment of renewal is needed. A synodal pathway would an opportunity to set that type of renewal in motion. If the church in the United… Read More Bishop Robert McElroy Denounces Judgmentalism, Clericalism, Tribalism

How did Jesus ascend into heaven (logistically)? How did he choose his disciples? In the latest Jesuit Autocomplete, Fr. Eric Sundrup and Fr. Paddy Gilger answer some of the Internet’s most searched questions about Jesus:

Mike Jordan Laskey writes: One caveat before I begin: Of course, only God can receive and, uh, judge and rank prayers. As such, the prayers here are presented in an arbitrary order — 1 is no “better” than 25. Think of this less as a true “25 best prayers” list, which is impossible for any… Read More The Best Prayers of the Decade

via Vatican News: While recognizing the growing agreement “on the need to promote processes of transition”, to encourage solidarity, and reinforce the links between climate change and poverty, the Pope says there is “much concern about the ability of these processes to respect the timeline required by science”. Pope Francis asks if there is “the… Read More Pope: Climate Emergency Poses Challenge of Civilization

via the Boston Globe: Mr. Frates was 34 when he died Monday in his Beverly home, his family at his side. Through his work helping to raise tens of millions of dollars by popularizing the Ice Bucket Challenge, his impact on ALS research will be felt for generations.… Using social media, the former BC star… Read More Pete Frates, Champion of the Ice Bucket Challenge, Dies at 34

Every child who is marginalized, abused, abandoned, without schooling, or without medical care, is a cry that rises up to God. In each of them is Christ, who came to our world as a defenseless child; it is Christ who looks at us through the eyes of each of these children. Let us pray that… Read More Pope Francis’ Prayer Intentions for December 2019: For the Future of the Very Young