In a dark world, look for the helpers May 2, 2025By Effie Caldarola OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Remembering Pope Francis Pope Francis was a helper and he encouraged helpers everywhere.
Looking toward the dawn at Easter April 16, 2025By Effie Caldarola OSV News Filed Under: Commentary It’s difficult to think of laughter when you see the suffering of the men who languish, none of them having access to due process, in a brutal foreign prison. But as Christians we are called to hope, even in the midst of night.
Rain and tears April 3, 2025By Effie Caldarola OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Lent As the rain falls softly, we know the lesson of Lent: that as we listen to God’s voice in our lives, we also stand on sacred ground.
Two Irish Saints March 17, 2025By Effie Caldarola OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Saints During St. Patrick’s season, my thoughts turn to two other Irishmen on the road to sainthood.
On the journey toward sainthood February 4, 2025By Effie Caldarola OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Saints We remember Brother James on Feb. 13, the anniversary of his martyrdom, and pray for a miracle to advance his cause for canonization.
The hopeful legacy of Jimmy Carter January 15, 2025By Effie Caldarola OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Social Justice Jimmy Carter has been the subject of countless retrospectives since his death on Dec. 29. For some years, we’ve had an unfair image of his one term in office as a “failed” presidency, yet a universal acknowledgement that his post-presidency was an extraordinary example of a life well-lived.
The most desired gift January 5, 2025By Effie Caldarola OSV News Filed Under: Christmas, Commentary, Uncategorized Sometimes, maintaining hope challenges our faith.
Focus on God November 15, 2024By Effie Caldarola OSV News Filed Under: 2024 Election, Commentary Like many, I was appalled at the dehumanizing words and lies spoken about migrants in the recent election, and the joy expressed about the threats to tear families apart by deporting hard working people hoping for citizenship. Words hurt.
The unknown future November 3, 2024By Effie Caldarola OSV News Filed Under: 2024 Election, Commentary The endless noise and chatter of the internet and cable TV feeds our fears and anxiety.
Reunions in graveyards October 18, 2024By Effie Caldarola OSV News Filed Under: Commentary It’s not macabre to love a graveyard. On the contrary, there’s a feeling of continuity, of belonging, of hope in resurrection. It impresses on me the shortness of this earthly journey and the gratitude I have for my loved ones.
Deer in the dusky evening October 3, 2024By Effie Caldarola OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Environment As we look forward to St. Francis of Assisi’s feast day on Oct. 4, may we pray to St. Francis for the freedom of simplicity and a renewed commitment to our mother Earth.
Underground railroad September 18, 2024By Effie Caldarola OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Racial Justice Although many Americans were abolitionists, particularly the Quakers, or Friends, it’s scandalous to us now to admit that many Christian churches were complicit in profiteering from slavery, the Catholic Church being no exception.
