Picture this: Decluttering photo collection, holding on to memories February 3, 2021By Effie Caldarola Catholic News Service Filed Under: Commentary, Feature, For the Journey Taking time to look through hundreds of old photos definitely brings one to God, the God who brought all these people — and these beautiful children — into my life.
‘The Social Dilemma’ January 27, 2021By Effie Caldarola Catholic News Service Filed Under: Commentary, For the Journey, Lent Perhaps a good question to ask as we look forward to Lent: How much time do I spend daily in prayer versus how much time on social media?
Rejoice in bleak times December 15, 2020By Effie Caldarola Catholic News Service Filed Under: Advent, Christmas, Commentary, For the Journey We can find joy in what Christ is offering us in this unique and unusual Advent of 2020.
Advent tears and laughter in a year of difficulty December 9, 2020By Effie Caldarola Catholic News Service Filed Under: Advent, Christmas, Commentary, For the Journey Constant tears can signal depression and are not good signs. But tears that spring forth in solidarity with the suffering, that draw us closer to the kingdom Jesus came to call forth, those can be good tears.
Overcoming hate with mercy and love August 11, 2020By Effie Caldarola Catholic News Service Filed Under: Commentary, For the Journey, Racial Justice Through all of the rough days ahead, we need to remind ourselves of King’s words. The God of love walks with us and helps us not to hate.
The incredible faith and strength of the maid of Orleans — St. Joan of Arc May 26, 2020By Effie Caldarola Filed Under: Commentary, For the Journey, Guest Commentary Hundreds of years later, she inspires more questions than nearly any saint in history.
Lenten silence amid turmoil March 3, 2020By Effie Caldarola Filed Under: Commentary, For the Journey, Guest Commentary, Lent In the midst of trial and worry, we seek the intimacy of this powerful and mysterious force we call God. Let Lent open us to grace, to see the big picture, even if it’s impossible to imagine 15 Milky Ways.
St. Frances Xavier Cabrini: Dismissed and dissed? November 14, 2019By Effie Caldarola Filed Under: Commentary, For the Journey, Guest Commentary, Saints I hope Governor Cuomo does build a St. Cabrini statue, expressing the strength and vision of a woman who should not be dismissed easily.
Have you ever experienced a “thin place”? October 29, 2019By Effie Caldarola Filed Under: Commentary, For the Journey, Guest Commentary This is the season when the Catholic world celebrates the feast of All Saints’ Day, followed by All Souls’ Day. The night before All Saints’ Day, the cultural world celebrates Halloween, literally the eve of All Hallows.
What Jean Vanier taught us May 14, 2019By Effie Caldarola Filed Under: Commentary, For the Journey, Guest Commentary Vanier changed attitudes toward the intellectually and physically disabled in ways so deep that we can hardly comprehend it.
A question sprung from the garden May 2, 2019By Effie Caldarola Filed Under: Commentary, For the Journey, Guest Commentary We celebrate, we loudly proclaim “Alleluia,” but we also hover in that upper room, wondering what this event means for the rest of our lives. As Christians, it is the question we cannot deny or avoid. It’s the pivotal question of our entire existence.
‘The Hiding Place’ August 30, 2018By Effie Caldarola Filed Under: Commentary, For the Journey Who inspires you? Who gives you hope? Read about a favorite saint or hero of history, and have faith.