The Second Vatican Council, convened by Pope John XXIII to address the role of the church in the modern world, was an epic event when it opened Oct. 11, 1962.

This is first in a series of articles submitted by the Diocese of Superior to educate readers and commemorate the church’s Eucharistic Revival.

Robert Browning, John Lennon and Pope Francis. What could a Victorian-era poet, a 20th-century rock star and a 21st-century pope possibly have in common?

At the end of the day, all of us, believers and non-believers, pious and impious, share one common humanity, and we all end up on the same road. This has many implications.

The Belgian theologian Jan Walgrave, who directed my doctoral thesis, was a true intellectual and a rare one. True, in that his thought naturally, instinctually gravitated towards the huge philosophical questions of essence and existence. Why are we here? Who are we really?

The three-year National Eucharistic Revival launched here in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis and in dioceses throughout the United States June 19 is intended to be a time of spiritual renewal with a particular focus on the holy Eucharist.

In the 50th year since the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision allowing abortion on demand, that same court has judged that case wrongly decided and kicked America’s most neuralgic issue back to its elected representatives.

Here’s an answer that should show up on Catholic Jeopardy: “Eight minutes.” The question is: “What does Pope Francis think the ideal length of a homily should be?”

How do we attract people to our church? How do we invite people to “come and see”? These are questions being asked with greater urgency these days. The “nones,” that is, those with no religious affiliation, are growing in number, while too many Catholics are walking away from any sort of consistent practice.