I would like to propose the corporal works of mercy as a way of participating in the Holy Year.
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Viewpoint: The Holy Year, Part One: The Spiritual Works of Mercy
I propose that every Catholic set some time aside and draw up a list of commitments to be carried out during the Holy Year based of the spiritual and corporal works of mercy.
Read moreViewpoint: Prayer of Acceptance is Neglected Mode of Address to God
God does not always intervene to resolve terrible experiences; rather he gives the strength to live through them with profound faith in the indestructible glory of the kingdom of heaven.
Read moreViewpoint: Women Could Be Authorized to Give the Homily at Mass
The bottom line: opening up preaching to lay men and women after rigorous training and official episcopal commissioning as “Lay Preachers” could, I think, greatly improve the unsatisfactory state of preaching in the Catholic Church.
Read moreViewpoint: Eight Reasons College Students Turn Away From Church
The church is not called to adapt to society and to make social norms the pattern for its own practice, but to transform society, while accepting critically from society what is deemed valuable.
Read moreViewpoint: Holy Thursday Washing of Women’s Feet Now Official
The matter of the washing of feet of women is likely to be omitted on Holy Thursday by a negative attitude toward women in the liturgy generally. Seminary faculty should make known to their seminarians in a positive spirit the fundamental contents of the recent Decree and the fundamental theology underlying it.
Read moreViewpoint: The Practice of Lenten Fasting Has Many Dimensions
We are reminded that we can never be satisfied by ordinary food, which satisfies only momentarily but then perishes.
Read moreViewpoint: Lay Ecclesial Ministry Programs Need Careful Implementation
Lay ecclesial ministry is still in the early stages of implementation and, understandably, exhibits some growing pains. Among these are a lack of clarity about this ministry and some exorbitant claims made for it.
Read moreViewpoint: Broken Reeds, Smoldering Wicks, and the Church’s Ministry
Every time we come to the Solemnity of the Baptism of the Lord, I think of one of my favorite scriptural passages: “A bruised reed he shall not break, and a smoldering wick he shall not quench.”
Read moreViewpoint: The Story of Christmas
Christmas is about Christ coming to us, and our coming to Christ—and most of all about our going out to each other. Most of all, Christmas promises us an imperishable inheritance from Christ who came once in Bethlehem will come again in glory.
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