If we truly believe as the church teaches – and as we know in our hearts – that every person is created in the image and likeness of God, then the sign in my neighborhood has it right: matter is the minimum.

Imagine also if we put the same effort that has characterized the pandemic response into achieving world peace, or addressing climate change, or alleviating poverty in general.

Think back to your own first holy Communion – and all the Communions since then. Why would you receive a minimal piece of bread and a sip of wine if not for what it truly is?

It will take months, perhaps the rest of the year, to get to the point where enough people have been vaccinated that everything can return to normal – or a new normal. It will be exceedingly good to get back to Mass and the sacraments, resume gatherings with friends and families, and participate in parish activities and in-person classes.

In addition to the crucifix on the wall in your home, the Catholic Review wants to be there to help you live your Catholic faith, day in and day out.

President Biden cannot force his opponents to listen to facts, but if he truly wants to unite the country, he needs to do things a lot different from the way past administrations have done.

Even with the many challenges of a difficult year, the Catholic Review accomplished great things in 2020.

Politics doesn’t have to be unfriendly and confrontational. We can be so much better than that.

In his new encyclical, “Fratelli Tutti: On Fraternity and Social Friendship,” the pope addresses the ways the world has been divided and how certain trends hinder the development of universal fraternity.

Whatever the color of your skin, if you want to be part of the solution, a good place to start would be to participate in the town hall Oct. 26. Vote Nov. 3. And then take action in your community to make things better.