‘A willingness to start with ‘yes’’: How one Catholic school graduated its first student with Down syndrome
by Joe Bukuras Washington D.C., Sep 13, 2021 / 15:01 pm Tears flowed down the faces of Abigail “Abby” Agudelo’s classmates, as earlier this year she became the first student with Down syndrome to graduate from St. Augustine’s School in Andover, Massachusetts. “We know other parochial schools in Massachusetts are …
Archbishops criticize ‘outrageous’ claims against St Junipero Serra
by Christine Rousselle Washington D.C., Sep 13, 2021 / 12:04 pm A California bill to replace a statue of St. Junipero Serra at the state capitol unfairly slanders the saint’s legacy, two archbishops claimed in a Wall Street Journal op-ed published Sunday, Sept. 12. Last month, California lawmakers voted overwhelmingly …
Seize the Moment: The More of Life & The More of God
In my column from last month’s issue, I closed with these words: “In Jesus, there is always more to life.” My family recently spent some vacation time in Maine, and it provided me ample opportunity to ponder “more to life.” One day, when there was a break in the summer …
On Original Solitude: Pope St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body
This article is the second in a series of reflections on Pope St. John Paul II’s “Theology of the Body” (TOB). In my last article, I introduced Pope St. John Paul II’s concept of “original experiences.” He coined this term while pondering the opening pages of the book of Genesis …
How 9/11 led a first responder to the priesthood
by Kate Olivera, Jonah McKeown Denver Newsroom, Sep 11, 2021 / 10:12 am On a September morning, twenty years ago, Tom Colucci was in his car driving home, weary after working the overnight shift at a firehouse in Lower Manhattan. Then, at 8:46am, he got a call. The city was …
Radiating Christ: Mary Beth Koenig
When you strike up a conversation with Mary Beth Koenig, you’ll hear frequently about “God’s awesomeness.” Not only is that one of her favorite phrases, but in her actions and her words, she radiates how good God is. Mary Beth and her husband met at the University of Cincinnati and …
Radiating Christ: Hospital Chaplains
Their ministry is one of presence, prayer and bringing Christ’s love and comfort to others. The team of six chaplains in the Department of Pastoral Care at Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati fills these roles daily. According to Austin Schafer, manager for Mission and Pastoral Care for the Good Samaritan …
Catholic health ministry head decries ‘unjust’ federal vaccine mandate
by Matt Hadro Washington D.C., Sep 10, 2021 / 08:04 am President Joe Biden on Thursday announced a federal COVID-19 vaccine mandate for many private employers, drawing criticism from the head of one Catholic health care ministry. “Coercing individuals into making a medical intervention is unjust,” said Louis Brown, executive …
Biden administration sues Texas over pro-life law
by Matt Hadro Washington D.C., Sep 9, 2021 / 13:45 pm The Biden administration on Thursday sued Texas over its new law prohibiting most abortions after the detection of a fetal heartbeat. In a complaint filed in a federal district court in West Texas, the Justice Department said the state …
Let your Service Shine!
Bicentennials are a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the past and build on the stellar work of many. We walk on the shoulders of religious men and women and lay people who radiated Christ in our communities throughout the years. As women and men religious gathered to plan their role …
