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Saturday, July 19, 2025

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Inside the Capitol

The vocation of public service

Pope Leo recently echoed a phrase used by Pope Francis: “Politics is one of the highest forms of charity because it serves the common good.” When considering how to best love our neighbor, becoming a politician or running for a local board or commission is not likely top of mind. But in these roles, we can live out the charge shared by our current and recent popes to help bring about the common good in our communities.
Faith at Home

Kids need lots of people who love them

I was sitting at work, eating my lunch alone, when I overheard a line from the next table: "Kids need lots of people who love them." At the time I was still far from parenthood, working at Catholic Charities as an intern for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development while I was in graduate school. But my husband and I were hoping for a baby, trying for a baby, and praying for a baby. Every day, my thoughts were consumed with children, even if my life was still far from them.
Faith at Home

The truth about transitions

When I first birthed a baby without drugs, I was convinced I was dying. Pain climbed in waves, contractions piling on top of each other so quickly I could barely breathe. "I can't do this," I wailed to my husband. But then I saw the spark in my midwife's eyes. "You're in transition," she said, her gaze steady. "This baby is almost here -- believe me."
Catholic — or Nothing

Mary and the revolution

Recent columns have addressed the background to Jesus’ proclamation of the “kingdom of God.” We’ve looked at the Old Testament, the Maccabean Revolt and popular revolutionary movements in Jesus’ day. But before we get to Jesus’ words about the kingdom of God, it’s important to point out that the Gospels indicate that the kingdom Jesus proclaimed was not only a spiritual reality but also a social and political community.
Echoes of Catholic Minnesota

Therese Geuer Mueller helped bring liturgy — and Advent wreaths — into people’s lives

Motherhood was the primary vocation for Therese Geuer Mueller. The holder of a doctorate in economics and sociology, Mueller preferred to be addressed as Mrs. Franz Mueller. She resisted outside employment and restricted her writing to the evenings after her five children were in bed, at least while they were young.
Commentary

‘We are in this together’: Recent Supreme Court rulings support parents in their vocation

Three recent decisions by the Supreme Court of the United States reflect the need to protect children when it comes to issues of human sexuality, now more than ever.
Simple Holiness

The apostolate of the laity

The apostolate of the laity is the mystical body of Christ in the world, which means it is comprised of Catholics who have been baptized, who profess their faith in the risen Lord, and who are governed by the pope. These terms may sound heady or intellectual, but actually the way they look when lived out each day is very simple and uncomplicated. To be a member of the apostolate means you accept your vocation as a Catholic Christian, and you devote your life to living out the teachings of Jesus. You are committed to being salt and light in a dark world.
Twenty Something

Even now, the ship will hold

“Don’t give up the ship.”
Catholic — or Nothing

Revolutionary movements at the time of Jesus

In this column, we’re in the midst of exploring some background to Jesus’ proclamation of the kingdom of God.
Catholic Watchmen

Pray for and live the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit

In this month dedicated to the sacred heart of Jesus, as I file away a meditation for a most ancient novena for the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, I prepare for June 27, the last Friday of the month’s devotion, which falls on the solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Abide in Him

Full hearts

God is love, and we are made in his image. Therefore, the perfection of the human person means becoming perfect in love. Lest we rationalize a way to lower the bar for ourselves, Jesus made this standard clear, saying, “So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.” The word perfect doesn’t refer to the absurd perfectionistic standards driven by our hyper-competitive culture.
Communion and Mission

Holy Communion: Striving to be shaped and conformed to Christ

The worthy reception of holy Communion is the fullest way to fulfill the divine call to consciously and actively participate in the Mass. It’s certainly not the only way. We are still obligated to attend holy Mass even when we cannot receive holy Communion due to grave sin. But all other ways point to and are fulfilled in the worthy reception of holy Communion, when that Communion is received and celebrated in the context of the public celebration of the Mass.
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