Commentary

Traveling mercies: Over the river and through the woods

The journey from a suburban Home Depot to our new country home spanned 11 miles and three helpers, winding over the river and through the woods. In the end, three crabapple trees successfully reached their destination — their trunks, an inch wide, their potential, infinite.

Christ’s right-hand man

There is an interesting phrase we Christians have professed in our Creed for centuries that is easy to gloss over: He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. To be at someone’s right hand signifies closeness, honor and authority, and thus, the Father shares everything that belongs to him with his Son. You’ve heard before the expression “he’s my right-hand man,” referring to someone who is indispensable as a trustworthy and loyal coworker. Think of Christ this way to his Father: He’s his Father’s right-hand man.

Oblate Sisters of Providence ministered for 30 years in Twin Cities

In September 1945, three Black Catholic religious sisters arrived in St. Paul from Baltimore to Catholic fanfare.

Why undocumented immigrants should have access to health care

The Minnesota Catholic Conference (MCC) and its partner organization, the Catholic Health Association-Minnesota, have long advocated for allowing the state’s undocumented immigrant community, particularly children, to access health insurance through MinnesotaCare.

Hope in the tomb

Our hope begins at a tomb. It was empty, of course, but Mary Magdalene didn't know it at the time. She thought he was in there, his body. It was only love that compelled her to be there, not hope. That was gone.

A Eucharistic word: Habit

As any parent will understand, praying well at Mass with three children is not easy — or sometimes, even possible. There's always a question about some ritual or phrase in a reading or a sippy cup dropped on the pew in front of you or just basic struggles of concentration. Oh, the distractions!

The prophet Daniel and the kingdom of God

We’ve been looking at the way the kingdom of God that Jesus proclaimed was the development of perhaps the central theme of the Old Testament: There would come a time when God would act, fulfilling his promises to give the Jews the land of Israel, to defeat their enemies, and to dwell with them in the Temple — all so that they could keep the Torah and be the light to the nations they were always called to be. Israel was hoping for, and often fighting for, a regime change to improve social, political and economic conditions — things the prophets addressed in their messages.

Three-fold unity of small groups

Like most practicing Catholics, I’m a member of a parish near my home. Yet I’m also blessed to have another “home” parish due to my diaconate assignment that is a bit farther away. Most days I consider the situation a gift, giving me an opportunity to experience parish life activities from different venues and perspectives.

The compassion of Christ

During Holy Week, we draw near to Christ, remembering his final battle with sin and Satan on our behalf. No one had the power to crucify him against his will. Therefore, as St. Augustine concluded, “It was of compassion, then, that he suffered.”

Walking the Emmaus road as a family

Right now is a difficult time for nearly every family I know. Parents are stressed. Teens are depressed. Kids are anxious. Studies on mental health back this up with statistics, but start a conversation with friends, family, neighbors or parishioners and you'll soon hear stories of struggle and suffering.

Supporting families through smart tax policy

Minnesota took a major step forward in supporting families with the passage of the nation-leading Child Tax Credit (CTC) in 2023. This historic legislation, which the Minnesota Catholic Conference (MCC) helped spearhead, has been an overwhelming success.

The wonders of God’s mercy

To celebrate Easter well, we must know of our need for redemption. This knowledge is not speculative or conceptual. It is something we are aware of like a toothache, a hangover, or the sadness of mourning a loved one who has died. It is a fact that is felt deep within and affects us, shading everything.
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