In the storm’s wake, our neighbors need us December 20, 2021By Greg Erlandson Catholic News Service Filed Under: Commentary, Feature, News, World News Christmas this year is arriving amid shock and tears. The images of devastation wrought by at least 22 tornadoes slashing their way through Kentucky, Missouri, Arkansas and Illinois are etched in our national consciousness.
The miracle we share at every Mass November 9, 2021By Greg Erlandson Filed Under: Commentary, Eucharist, Guest Commentary Much of the media coverage this year has focused on whether it will call out Catholic politicians who support abortion rights. According to the draft sent to the bishops in September and subsequently leaked to The Pillar, it does not.
When our children leave the faith September 9, 2021By Greg Erlandson Catholic News Service Filed Under: Commentary, Guest Commentary The real enemy of the faith in our age is indifference. Combatting this enemy may be the biggest challenge facing our parishes, and our families, today.
Going buggy with Brood X June 1, 2021By Greg Erlandson Catholic News Service Filed Under: Commentary, Environment, Feature, Guest Commentary Brood X is to the normal summer cicada what King Kong is to Tarzan’s Cheeta: something else entirely.
How badly do we want to return? March 9, 2021By Greg Erlandson Catholic News Service Filed Under: Commentary, Coronavirus, Guest Commentary The moment is arriving when parish and diocesan staff must use all the tools available to them to create a welcoming community, giving people a reason to come back as soon as they feel safe to do so.
Doctrine committee sets standards for evaluating, improving church hymns December 14, 2020By Greg Erlandson Catholic News Service Filed Under: Divine Worship, Eucharist, Feature, News, World News Expressing concern for the doctrinal soundness of some of the lyrics of Catholic hymns now available for use in Catholic liturgies, the U.S. bishops’ doctrine committee in a forthcoming report suggests guidelines for bishops in evaluating hymn lyrics and for selecting hymnals being considered for use in churches.
Bishops say Our Lady of America apparitions were not supernatural May 7, 2020By Greg Erlandson Filed Under: News, World News Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Indiana, and five other bishops have concluded that alleged apparitions of Our Lady of America — said to have taken place more than six decades ago — were not of supernatural origin.
Why we should care about the beloved Amazon February 18, 2020By Greg Erlandson Filed Under: Commentary, Guest Commentary The plight of the Amazon is a wicked problem demanding enormous resources and focus from a variety of countries, yet without certainty of the results nor the avoidance of unintended consequences.
Don’t let Halloween scare you October 17, 2019By Greg Erlandson Filed Under: Commentary, Guest Commentary Memo to handwringing adults: Ghouls and goblins and various ghostly apparitions don’t exist, but lust, greed, pride, envy and anger most certainly do. And they are far more frightening.
Archbishop Lori, an ‘early adopter,’ talks about holding bishops accountable on abuse June 5, 2019By Greg Erlandson Filed Under: Archbishop's Ministry, Child & Youth Protection, Feature, Local News, McCarrick Report, News, World News When it comes to holding himself and other bishops accountable, Baltimore Archbishop William E. Lori is the earliest of early adopters.
Selling the sizzle at a parish near you June 1, 2019By Greg Erlandson Filed Under: Commentary, Guest Commentary I think we need parishes to start using their ingenuity to get people’s attention.
Scary prayers that are good for you April 2, 2019By Greg Erlandson Filed Under: Commentary, Guest Commentary Scary prayers are prayers where even the very words you say seem to convict you.