Celebrating Epiphany and other late-Christmas fun (7 Quick Takes) January 7, 2023By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window It was Epiphany Sunday when we received the referral to adopt our older son, so this time of year always makes me smile. Gold, frankincense, and myrrh are wonderful gifts, but that phone call brought the best news we had ever received.
Returning a Christmas Gift January 5, 2023By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window Hi Santa, I’m sorry, but I’d like to send this back. Yes, I know we had asked for a Christmas break again this year, but this wasn’t quite what we had in mind.
What Pope Benedict XVI taught us about dying well January 5, 2023By Gretchen R. Crowe OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Guest Commentary, Pope Benedict XVI In his spiritual testament dated more than 16 years before his death, Pope Benedict reflected on his life, and on those whom he had encountered, with gratitude
The true Joseph Ratzinger January 4, 2023By George Weigel Syndicated Columnist Filed Under: Commentary, Guest Commentary, Pope Benedict XVI, The Catholic Difference The Joseph Ratzinger I knew for 35 years — first as prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, later as Pope Benedict XVI and then Pope Emeritus — was a brilliant, holy man who bore no resemblance to the caricature that was first created by his theological enemies and then set in media concrete.
Seek the Light January 4, 2023By Christopher Gunty Catholic Review Filed Under: Amen, Amen Gunty Commentary, Commentary, Feature As angels revealed the birth of the Messiah to the shepherds, representing the nation of Israel; the star revealed Christ to the Gentiles, represented by these magi from another land.
Why confess to a priest? What if it’s been a long time? January 3, 2023By Jenna Marie Cooper OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Guest Commentary While we know for sure that sins are forgiven through the sacrament, God is of course free to extend his grace beyond even what he has promised.
Christmas treats, victories, and memories (7 Quick Takes) December 29, 2022By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window We’ve reached the point in our Christmas break where I am not entirely sure what day of the week it is. What I do know is that we are still in the midst of our Christmas celebrations.
A season of change, a time of hope December 29, 2022By Greg Erlandson Catholic News Service Filed Under: Commentary, Guest Commentary In the darkest days of winter, we are filled with new hope, just as when we hold that new child.
A Christmas Eve Miracle December 27, 2022By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window On Christmas Eve morning, we woke up to find that our furnace had stopped working.
Toward eternity December 27, 2022By Father Joseph Breighner Catholic Review Filed Under: Christmas, Commentary, Wit & Wisdom We can see the passing years and decades as simply growing older. Or we can see the passing years and decades as growing toward eternity.
Lights in the sky a cherished Christmas memory December 22, 2022By Mitzy Deras Catholic Review Filed Under: Christmas, Commentary, Feature, Guest Commentary Enjoying snow and hot chocolate is a cozy way to spend Christmas, but watching the sky light up in celebration of the birth of Christ is just as magical.
Pierogi factory: Catholic Review managing editor relishes Polish Christmas traditions December 20, 2022By George P. Matysek Jr. Catholic Review Filed Under: Christmas, Commentary, Feature, The Narthex Using a cherished family recipe handed down from ancestors from Poland, Catholic Review Managing Editor George Matysek Jr. and his wife, Treasa, spend the wee hours before Christmas making, kneading and rolling out dough and then dropping homemade potato-and-cheese filling into each carefully crafted circle.