February Crossword ACROSS 1 Doctrines 5 Catholic actress Holmes 10 Soft drink 14 Barrel of laughs 15 Develop 16 Egg cell 17 South American Indian 18 Enthusiastic 19 Refrain syllables 20 Intoxicating liquor 22 They often signal the start of a religious service 23 Earphone 24 Thin stratum 26 Berne’s …

From the Editor’s Desk | David Cooley In her Story of a Soul, St. Thérèse of Lisieux recounts a time when she struggled to understand her vocation within the Church. During prayer, she opened her Bible and read: “But strive for the greater gifts. And I will show you a …

INTO YOUR HANDS | Archbishop Robert G. Casey In the delightful classic movie The Bells of St. Mary’s, Bing Crosby and Ingrid Bergman star as a priest and a religious sister serving at the above-mentioned parish and its school. Ingrid Bergman plays Sr. Benedict, a school principal with both principles …

For children with incurable diseases Let us pray that children suffering from incurable diseases and their families receive the necessary medical care and support, never losing strength and hope.

Question of Faith | Fr. David Endres I sometimes hear about Catholics who seek an annulment so they can remarry in the Church. Could you explain the process and its importance? When a Catholic couple gets a divorce, they often believe they can no longer practice the faith. Some presume …

A Closer Look | Kenneth Craycraft In the 33rd and final canto of Dante’s epic 14th century poem, Paradiso, St. Bernard guides Dante to the destination of his pilgrimage, where he achieves the Beatific Vision. Dante describes his final ascent to Paradise in terms of the restoration of balance, harmony …

by Michael Momper A good romantic comedy not only has you laughing, it also says something edifying about human relationships. It should reach beyond the low-hanging fruit of vulgar bedroom jokes to instead amuse us with the love-struck antics of its protagonist(s) in a way that bolsters one’s belief in …

A Very Little Office of Compline: Night Prayer for Children By Bo Bonner. Tan Books. 40 pages. $14.95 Reviewed by Abigail Ulbrich “Then Vespers lights the lamps of praise / and Compline rests our pilgrim days. / Seven-a-Day I bow my chin / and once at night to conquer sin. …

by Susan Bergman When Catholic Social Services of the Miami Valley (CSSMV) launched the Lenten Love in Action campaign in 2023, their goal was simple: celebrate the good already happening in our neighborhoods and inspire even more of it. Seeing countless small acts of kindness quietly unfolding in schools, parishes, …

by David Cooley Sacred music holds a central place in Catholic worship. An integral element of the liturgy, it elevates the soul toward God, fosters communal unity, and deepens the faithful’s encounter with divine mysteries. Rooted in Scripture and Church tradition, it beautifies prayer, promotes contemplation, and distinguishes itself from …