PERSPECTIVES
OUR NEIGHBORS' FAITH
Visiting churches of other faiths
If you want to understand your neighbor's faith, you can read a good book or you can just show up. I recommend the latter. Sometimes, there's free food.
STUYVESANT FALLS/STOTTVILLE
A view from the pew of a merged parish
Celebrating the parish's cultural diversity is a large part of this mission, with the goal of developing and maintaining a strong, unified community of faith. "Diversity presents a great opportunity to share in our differences and determine how we as individuals can contribute to our community," said Rev. Joseph Falletta, …
SEMINARIAN'S DIARY
How to cram for an exam
We don't refer to our clergy as "Doctor;" nor do we expect them to be making names for themselves in the academic arena. We call them "Father," and that's what we want them to be for us: like a father.
PERSPECTIVE
Catholic social teachings and my Buddhist brother's book
My Buddhist brother, David, is the author of "I Don't Wish Nobody to Have a Life Like Mine: Tales of Kids in Adult Lockup" (Beacon Press, 2011). The title quotes one of those kids. In these cautionary stories, social and personal brutality are unveiled by a compassionate heart, resonating not …
ADVENT REFLECTION
Meet John the Baptist
The season of Advent has been celebrated in the Church probably since the fourth century. The word "Advent" comes from the Latin "adventus," a word used in ancient times to describe the arrival or presence of a king who had come to visit a part of his kingdom. The Church …
ADVENT REFLECTION
Watchful as a deer
I was anticipating the joyous waiting for the birth of a child, not the ominous watching for the end of time. We live in an era that is somewhere between the first and second coming of Christ.
ADVENT REFLECTION
Mary of Advent, the 'four-M' woman
December is the month of Mary. Who is Mary? Four "M's" describe her: Mary is mother...Mary is messenger...Mary is mediator...Mary is model.
EDUCATOR'S PERSPECTIVE
Students' stories symbolize bereavement studies program
Bereavement projects are service-oriented. Students have worked in prisons, addiction centers, churches, schools and universities, synagogues, childcare centers, hospices, hospitals, nursing homes and agencies.
ADVENT REFLECTION
Mysterious Joseph
Who is Joseph of Nazareth? Is Joseph the forgotten figure in Advent? Some Hollywood films portray Joseph as one of the extras. Does he have a part to play in the run to Christmas?
PERSPECTIVE
Visiting Occupy Albany
Not everyone was pleased. Apparently, we live in an age where many people believe that any sign of support for a group is unquestioning approval for whatever any member of the group does.
BOOK REVIEW
Have some humor for the holidays
The Eucharist is no laughing matter. However, Christ, present in the Eucharist, is the source of all joy. In his latest book, "Between Heaven and Mirth," Rev. James Martin, SJ, explores this notion of joy in our faith.
ADVENT REFLECTION
The birth of Jesus
The birth of Jesus is the surprise of creation. The deepest of all the deep truths about Christmas is that Mary's baby is God. That statement is beyond comprehension.
SEMINARIAN'S DIARY
God willing, I'll be ready
These days, if someone is serious enough about religious life to have overcome all the obstacles presented by their peers, their family and the culture, there's a good chance that they are bursting at the seams to do it.
PILGRIM'S PROGRESS
Renewed by St. Davids
Last August, my family traveled to Wales for our two-week vacation. I invited my husband's parents, who live in Lithuania, to join us. We only see them once a year, and the beautiful Welsh countryside seemed the perfect spot to enjoy our time together.
250 X 250 AD
250 X 250 AD
Events
250 X 250 AD