Picture the scene: Skaters clad in helmets and pads, racing down a winding ice hill at speeds up to 40 mph, while tens of thousands of cheering spectators line the course with the Cathedral of St. Paul serving as a picturesque backdrop.
Archive for Category: "Opinion"
How to welcome the faithful back into the fold
As Christmas approaches, there is one thing we can be as sure of seeing as Santa Claus and incessant ads for holiday deals: full Catholic churches. As predictable as the swallows returning to San Juan Capistrano, Catholics of all stripes return to their parish every Christmas, many visiting for the first time since the previous Easter.
Imagining Mary: Christmas paintings that open our eyes
I’ve been shopping for the perfect Christmas card, sifting through Nativity scenes framed in holly berries and bows.
An Advent lesson courtesy of quarterback Tim Tebow
A lot of ink is being spilled on Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow. Sports pundits are incredulous that this less-than-stellar passer has helped to turn his team into a contender for the NFL playoffs. Unlike most other football players, however, Tebow has also come under scrutiny for the way he publicly witnesses to his Christian faith — something he references in nearly every interview and public appearance.
Survey offers some direction for church to provide better instruction
According to Pope Benedict, the Year of Faith seeks to help Catholics appreciate their faith and deepen their relationship with God.
Love, marriage and the ‘tools’ of engagement
The following column — part of a series about the marriage amendment — is provided by the Minnesota Catholic Conference, which advocates on behalf of the state’s bishops for public policies and programs that support the life and dignity of every human person.
Gospel mandate shouldn’t be fettered by federal mandate
The issue of religious freedom has received a great deal of attention in recent months on a variety of fronts, including in the healthcare arena, where the U.S. bishops and other Catholic groups have been voicing opposition to a federal
Priests prepare for new Mass prayers
Priests around the archdiocese have been poring over liturgical scripts and rehearsing speaking parts in anticipation of the Nov. 27 debut of the new Roman Missal, which will usher in the most significant changes to the Mass in more than 40 years.
Offer Communion graces for someone who hurt you
Q: I’ve got the new words of the retranslated prayers down pat. What else can I do to get more out of Mass?
Youth and adults together will learn new language, gain better understanding of Liturgy
Don’t be too concerned if you and your children stumble over the words of the Mass beginning Nov. 26-27, the first weekend of Advent. Your presider may stumble a little, too.
Giving thanks for ‘all things in good plenty’
When Mary Chilton first spotted the New World in November 1620, the 13-year-old had been aboard the Mayflower for 10 weeks, stuck in the same clothes and cramped in dark, damp quarters among seasick passengers and dying goats. Each family was allotted one storage trunk for all their possessions.
Questions and answers about the new Roman Missal
This question-and-answer column is the next in a series about the new Roman Missal, which will be used in the United States beginning Nov. 27, the first Sunday of Advent.
Social Connect