PERSPECTIVES
SEMINARIAN'S DIARY
Back to Mechanicville
I am beginning my pastoral year: As part of our formation, seminarians spend a year in a parish, learning about parish life and experiencing all that goes on.
PERSPECTIVE
My masterpiece of mercy
Judaism understands mercy in two related ways: Mercy is a quality of character which exists within us yet which needs to be encouraged; mercy is also a way of behaving toward others, especially when we don't feel particularly merciful.Here is my story about my middle daughter, my masterpiece of mercy.
REFLECTION
Recovering the Sabbath
What does the typical American think when he or she hears the word "Sunday?" Football? The Sunday newspaper? A day to recover from Saturday and prepare for Monday?
REFLECTION
Like a bird in a tree
I am not a planner. Arranging future events is not my forte. I am masterful at "living in the moment." It can take me 45 minutes to go to Stewart's, which is less than half a mile from our house, to buy milk and eggs for breakfast.
PERSPECTIVE
St. Ignatius, summer and exercise
An old Methodist church in my home city of Sunderland, in Northeast England, often displayed very thought-provoking messages which I looked for every time I passed by. One that I always remember is, "Is God your steering wheel or your spare wheel?"
SEMINARIAN'S DIARY
Bittersweet goodbyes and a happy 'wow'
There is a common feeling among those who have just completed their final year of seminary: bittersweetness, as we pack up our things, say our goodbyes and approach the stage to receive our degrees, finalizing our time as students in seminary once and for all.
CATHOLIC CHARITIES TESTIMONY
Here's how to stop N.Y.'s opioid crisis
The state's heroin crisis is a serious problem, with no easy solution. Otherwise, this crisis would have been eradicated already. On behalf of my colleagues, I would like to offer some suggestions.
PERSPECTIVE
Mercy at summer camp
When I was really young, I had not yet experienced any time where everything would not be OK. It's amazing actually how little time it takes for what seems to be your whole world to change.
PERSPECTIVE
Homily for Father Rooney
Father O'Connor offered this homily for the late Rev. John J. Rooney at Father Rooney's funeral Mass on April 23 at Sacred Heart Church in Albany.
TEEN PERSPECTIVE
Camp counseling made me ready for semester abroad
Summer camp and traveling to Europe have a lot in common.
BEFORE FORTNIGHT
Every life is worth living
As the Fortnight for Freedom approaches -- it begins June 21 -- Sacred Heart parish in Cairo offers this winning essay from its annual respect life essay contest for youth.
REFLECTION
My Dad: St. Joseph in the flesh
My Dad was a simple, blue-collar, hard-working man, who, as I recall, only ever missed one day of work. If he caught a cold, he swore by a drink of ginger and hot water to make him better overnight. It always did.
TEEN PERSPECTIVE
From lost to leader: changed by Life Teen
Even the best-laid plans can be changed in an instant. All changes take getting used to, and the process can be overwhelming.
DEACON'S DIARY
Why I'm becoming a deacon
This month, instead of the usual "Seminarian's Diary" column, a candidate for the diaconate takes a turn describing his formation.
PERSPECTIVE
Beware of identity theft: a lesson from Orlando
The violence in Orlando at a gay nightclub was the tragic result of mistaken identity. One very disturbed man, obsessed with differences and blinded by homophobia, failed to see the true identity of the people he killed and maimed. He did not understand that those 49 people were sons and …
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