Columns – Page 75 – Madison Catholic Herald

Part one of a two-part series.

The whole Christian world has watched with fascination as Pope Francis, over the past several months, has reached out to evangelicals.

Who can forget the mesmerizing iPhone video, filmed by the pope’s (late) friend Bishop Tony Palmer, in which the Bishop of Rome communicated, with father-like compassion, to a national gathering of American evangelical leaders?

His smile, his tone of voice, and the simple, direct words that he chose constituted a bridge between Catholics and evangelicals. What I found particularly moving was the remarkable reaction of the evangelical audience after they had taken in the video: a real prayer in the Spirit.

On January 27, 2016

George Weigel

China’s population crisis: an evangelical opportunity?

State-sponsored cruelty has been a staple of the human condition for millennia.

But has there ever been a more wicked policy, with more disastrous social consequences, than the “one-child policy” China began to implement in the early 1980s a state-decreed population-control measure that resulted in, among other horrors, untold tens of millions of coerced abortions?

In her new book, One Child (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt), veteran China-watcher Mei Fong describes both the impact of the policy on the destruction of China’s traditional social fabric and its draconian effects on China’s medium- and long-term future.

On January 20, 2016

Fr. Donald Lange

Let’s continue to speak for the unborn

Have you ever seen a speaker weep when giving a talk on abortion? I have.

When I taught high school religion, a pro-life doctor gave a talk to my classes. As he described the tragedy of aborted babies, he wept.

Never before or since have I seen anyone weep while talking about aborted unborn babies. His tears convinced me that he truly believed that unborn babies were human persons and aborting them destroyed human life.

On January 20, 2016

Bishop Robert Barron

The Revenant and search for higher justice

Alejandro Iñárritu’s new film The Revenant is one of the most talked about movies, and for good reason.

The opening 20 minutes, which feature a frighteningly realistic Indian attack and a horrifically vivid mauling by a grizzly bear, are absolutely compelling viewing. And the remainder of the film is so involving that this viewer at least felt physically sick as he followed the sufferings of the main character.

On January 20, 2016

Morgan Smith

The harmony of belonging


	Morgan Smith

The other day, I was watching an orchestra concert. I was moved by the beauty of the music, but even more struck by the intricate harmony of the instruments as the musicians played them in communion with one another.

I reflected upon the unity it takes to play in an orchestra. Every instrument is essential — individually beautiful — but essential to the sound and wholeness of a piece of music. Each instrument is different. Even among a group of the same instruments, say the violins, there are variations in the sounds and colors of each individual. (Marks of their creator.)

Home modifications necessary for safety

Q We lost my mom a few months ago and although my dad has been managing better than I expected on his own, I wonder if there are any home improvement tips or modifications that would make living alone easier for him?

The home is a small two-story and he stays on the first floor which has all the essential living spaces: kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, and living room.

Since I am an only child and live over two hours away from him, I don’t want to overlook anything that might help him stay independent. He has low vision and has had one hip replaced but other than that is in good health.

On January 13, 2016

Fr. Donald Lange

Continuing to follow Dr. King’s dream

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is an American federal holiday that marks the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. It is observed on the third Monday of January, which is around Dr. King’s birthday, January 15. This year it is observed on January 18.

In his speech to Congress in September of 2015, Pope Francis lifted up four Americans who worked for social justice. They were two non-Catholics, Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King, Jr., and two Catholics, Dorothy Day and Thomas Merton. Crux columnist John L. Allen Jr. called them the pope’s “Fantastic Four” who stood up for the poor.

On January 13, 2016May 20, 2021

Fr. Tad Pacholczyk

Making good choices, supporting those struggling with addiction

Addiction can be extremely harmful, and in some cases, fatal for those individuals ensnared by it. It can be seriously disruptive and damaging to those around them.

Who is to blame when it comes to addiction? Family and friends may think to themselves, “Why can’t Jane just stop drinking?” Or, “Doesn’t Joe understand that his gambling addiction is bankrupting the family?” Or, “Can’t Bob see how his pornography habit is destroying his marriage and his relationships?”

For those facing addiction, it seems they ought to be able to recognize their behavior as harmful and turn away from it by a resolute decision. Family and friends, however, can face years of frustration when they see their loved ones fall into a slow motion “crash and burn,” spiraling downwards as they remain unwilling or unable to step away from their addiction.

On January 13, 2016

Bishop Robert Barron

Saint of light, saint of darkness

Like so many others around the world, I was overjoyed to hear of the recent decision of the Vatican to canonize Mother Teresa, a woman generally recognized, during her lifetime, to be a “living saint.”

Mother Teresa first came to my attention through Malcolm Muggeridge’s film and attendant book, Something Beautiful for God. Of course. Muggeridge showed Mother’s work with the dying and the poorest of the poor on the streets of Kolkata, but what moved me the most were the images of the saint’s smile amidst so much squalor and suffering. She was a very bright light shining in exceptionally thick darkness.

Demonstrating love

Mother’s life reveals so many aspects and profiles of holiness, but I would like to focus on three of them.

On January 13, 2016

Ask IPS

Reaching out to the homeless and those in need


	Ask IPS

QUESTION: “Especially as the cold settles in this winter, I want to reach out to the homeless in my community. At the same time, this is outside of my comfort zone and I’m afraid of being asked to take on burdens that I’m not ready for. What is a good balance to strike?”

RESPONSE: Sarah Lowrey, M.S. Student at the IPS Center for the Psychological Services

How beautiful that you want to serve and make a difference in your community!