If you close your eyes, can you imagine the 34 million people living with HIV/AIDS? Can you see their faces, hear their stories? Part of the problem with the data of statistics is that it is difficult for us to wrap our heads around numbers so big. When we think about the global AIDS pandemic, statistics are important. We need to know Read more
Jeremiah 33:14-16 Psalm 25 1 Thes 3:12-4:2 Luke 21:25-28, 34-36 One of the things I love about being Catholic is the rhythm of the liturgical calendar, and the way that it marks human life in tune with the seasons of the year as they relate to the story of salvation history. And even though I know (intellectually) that Lent and Easter are Read more
One of the great “promises” associated with genetically-modified crops was the ability to design plants that would not be killed by herbicides and pesticides. Spray on, kill everything else, but get a healthy plant. This in theory would increase yield and even save soil from erosion, by minimizing the amount of tilling farmers would have to use. But what has actually happened? Read more
Over the Thanksgiving holiday, my family went to see Spielberg’s Lincoln. It is a wonderful movie that reminds us of how good and important politics can be, but it also raises some hard questions for Catholics. According to David Brooks of the New York Times, the movie rightfully celebrates politics, which is important because, you can do more good in politics than Read more
A friend of mine sent me an article recently published in the New York Times called “Opting Out of Parenthood with Finances in Mind” because she knew that it would probably make me mad enough to blog about it. Too true… though maybe I find myself less angry than sad in this case. There are several points I want to make to Read more
Daniel 7:13-14 Psalm 93:1-2, 5 Revelation 1:5-8 John 18:33b-37 This Sunday we celebrate the Solemnity of Christ the King, a feast which not only commemorates the ultimate sovereignty of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ but also marks the last Sunday in the liturgical year. It surprises most contemporary Catholics when they learn that this feast is a relatively new addition to Read more
Who are “the poor?” In Think and Act Anew: How Poverty in America Affects us All, one unnamed Catholic Charities director offers: 1. they cannot afford housing that is clean, safe, and in good repair; 2. they cannot afford nutritious food for themselves and their family on a regular basis; 3. they cannot consistently pay their utility bills even though it is Read more
On Friday Nov 16th at Fordham University in New York, Peter Singer and three theologians shared a podium to discuss the theology and ethics of the treatment of non-human animals, particularly in light of the practice of factory-farming. The session was entitled Christians and Other Animals: Moving the Conversation Forward. The context for the discussion can be summarized by the fact that Read more
Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time Dn 12:1-3; Ps 16:5, 8, 9-10, 11; Heb 10:11-14, 18; Mk 13:24-32 In the Second Reading for this coming Sunday, the Letter to the Hebrews speaks of the “one sacrifice for sins.” The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus render unnecessary all other sacrifices for sins. Redemption is already accomplished through Christ. And yet, sacrifice remains a Read more
This past weekend, at the Catholic University of America, a group of theologians gathered with several bishops for a scholars’ conference devoted to approaches to the issue of climate change, especially in light of Pope Benedict’s highlighting of this issue. I was privileged to present one of the papers, and to be able to engage in great discussions over others. As well Read more
Saturday Morning: 8:00 am
Saturday Vigil: 4:30 pm
Sunday: 7:30 am, 9:00 am, 10:45 am,
12:30 pm, 5:30 pm
Saturday Vigil: 6:15pm
Sunday: 9:00am, 7:15pm
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday: 8:30 am
