I played basketball and baseball in early grade school. I was never that great at either, but I learned a lot about what it means to be on a team and how to be a good teammate. My first lesson, however, simply moved me from standing alone to belonging.  I …

by John Stegeman Based on the Combined Rite of Election and Calling to Continuing Conversion this year, 1,096 people intend to proceed to the Sacraments of Initiation. It will mark the highest number of people joining the local Church in more than 15 years. Of the total, 556 are catechumens …

by Deacon Michael Trimpe In my career as a forensic scientist at the Hamilton County Coroner’s Crime Laboratory, I often thought of the pain and suffering our Lord Jesus Christ experienced during His Passion. We know His manner of death was authorized by Pontius Pilate to be crucifixion. But what …

For priests in crisis Let us pray for priests going through moments of crisis in their vocation, that they may find the accompaniment they need and that communities may support them with understanding and prayer.

INTO YOUR HANDS | Archbishop Robert G. Casey Consider the tomb. Think about a tight, closed-off space without the fresh air of a new day. Consider the cold, stagnant darkness of that space, with no possibility of seeing the first light of a sunrise. Think about the lifeless silence that …

ACROSS 1 It becomes the Blood of Christ 5 Not fer 9 Some outdoor gear 13 Precious metals, to Pedro 14 The “B” of N.B. 15 Distinctive dress worn by religious 16 Artist Chagall 17 Picnic intruders 18 Delight 19 “___ boy!” 20 Views 21 In a bit 22 First …

Shine On | Dominick Albano A few years ago, I was to lead a parish mission at a church in California, and before the first night began, I slipped into a pew at the front of the sanctuary to pray. The church was empty. Quiet. Still. When I finished praying, …

Question of Faith | Fr. David Endres Q: Why does the Church oppose in vitro fertilization? Aren’t all children gifts from God? Openness to children is an essential part of marriage and family life. The Church recognizes children as gifts and affirms couples’ desire to conceive. It is understandable that …

by Kenneth Craycraft Near the end of his novel, Brighton Rock, Graham Greene details a conversation between an old priest and one of the main characters of the novel, a young woman named Rose. The interchange takes place after the sudden, violent death of another character, Pinky, whose life had …