Why community is needed now more than ever

Dioceses have canceled masses or dispensed the faithful from their Sunday obligation because of the novel coronavirus pandemic. Parishes are empty, and they may be for some time to come. This does not mean that parish life is suspended; in fact, writer

10 easy ways to be the worst parishioner ever

Maybe it’s time you kick it up a notch and move from being just a bad parishioner to becoming the worst parishioner ever. In his traditional satirical style, Bill Dodds provides 10 steps on how to claim that title. His advice ranges

Parish scamming resurges across the country

In at least 10 states, parishioners have received emails and texts from what they thought were their pastors asking for gift cards. Dioceses have informed the faithful that priests would never solicit money outside of official fundraising appeals through established parish channels.

Addressing the phenomenon of parish hopping

Not many Catholics know this, but your real parish is the one whose territory includes your place of residence. At least that is how the Code of Canon Law still sees it. But even with that built-in understanding of one’s territorial parish,

Where two or three

Before we moved to Huntington, Indiana, in 2017, my family and I were members for over 20 years of a traditional Latin Mass oratory in Rockford, Illinois, established by Bishop Thomas Doran (of blessed memory) and administered by the Institute of Christ

Living as a Catholic in Utah

The state of Utah is widely and rightfully associated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Nearly everything about the state’s settling by Westerners, its statehood, and much of its history is inextricably tied to the Mormon Church. Yet

Innovative evangelization efforts

By virtue of baptism, all Christians are called to evangelize, to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ. Over the last few decades, popes have recognized that the time has come for a New Evangelization, a sort of reproposing of the Gospel

Dioceses enlist mentor programs to help priests

Mentorship programs are common in the professional world, with senior employees helping those new to a job acquire the skills they need to be a success. Catholic dioceses across the country are now recognizing the valuable role mentors can play, with many