In a recent statement from the National Catholic Bioethics Center on COVID-19 vaccines, we noted that the Catholic Church “neither requires nor forbids” the use of vaccines, but instead urges people to “form their consciences and to carefully discern the moral and prudential issues involved.”
The 2020-21 school year has been one for the history books. As we reflect on this past year, Psalm 46:1 comes to mind: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” With God ever present in our schools, we were able to overcome so many obstacles.
I have the very happy responsibility today of congratulating the University of St. Thomas class of 2021! And also to express my pride in becoming today a member of your class.
Whatever energy we don’t transform, we will transmit. That’s a phrase I first heard from Richard Rohr, and it names a central challenge for all mature adults. Here’s its Christian expression.
Seventy. Sounds like a fairly big number. Mark Twain described it as “three score years and ten, the Scriptural statute of limitations — the expected lifespan we are granted according to the Bible.”
A sign on the door of St. Mary's Catholic [...]
During serious illness conversations, some doctors will ply their patients with this question: “What is your minimally acceptable quality of life?”
Death is an uncomfortable truth. Despite the comfort of our Catholic belief in the soul’s immortality, the thought of leaving this life is an alarming one.
Today, the common question in spiritual circles is not, “What is your church or your religion?” but, “What is your practice?” What is your practice? What is your particular explicit prayer practice? Is it Christian? Buddhist? Islamic? Secular? Do you meditate? Do you do centering prayer? Do you practice mindfulness? For how long do you do this each day?
“A baby is God’s way of saying the world should go on.” My mother spoke this truth a thousand times while I was growing up. She said it every time we heard news of a friend or relative expecting a baby, but also each time the world darkened with terrible suffering or personal tragedy. She saw in each human life a great possibility: the prospect of new beginnings meeting the promise of hope.
