December 19, 2004
Christmas: God participates in the human family
Over the last few months, I’ve written about the various ways we participate in the life of the Church; but we can participate in the Church only because God participates in the human family.
December 5, 2004
‘Blessed are you among women:’ Mary and the mission of the Church
Jesus, in telling people their sins are forgiven, brought them face to face with their sinfulness.
November 21, 2004
Participation in the Church: belonging to the Risen Christ
Baptism and faith, the bases of our participating in the Church, are to lead us to sanctity. What makes a saint? Holiness. What is holiness?
November 7, 2004
‘Go and make disciples’: participation in the Church’s mission
Considering participation in the Church, our thoughts often focus on the various services provided through the Church.
October 24, 2004
How God wants to be worshiped: participation in the Church’s liturgy
For three days last week, I participated in the International Eucharistic Congress in Guadalajara, Mexico.
October 10, 2004
Catholic participation in political life, revisited
Participation in the Church is based upon Baptism and the profession of the Catholic faith.
September 26, 2004
Participation in the Church and participation in political life: a matter of conscience
In writing in these columns about participation in the Church’s governance, ministry, mission and worship, I have come back to sacramental baptism and profession of the Catholic faith as the bases for “belonging.”
September 12, 2004
Participation in the Church: an array of servants
Participation in the Church is based on baptism, when God gives us new life in Christ, and on faith, when God gives us the grace to see and assent to a vision of things beyond the purely visible.
August 15, 2004
The primacy of grace: to August 15 from December 8
Grace is a familiar name, used by real women and fictional characters. Grace is what we declare fills Mary, the mother of Jesus, each time we repeat in prayer the words of the Archangel Gabriel, sent by God to tell her of God’s plans for our salvation (Lk. 1:28).
August 1, 2004
Cardinal George’s column will return in the Aug. 15 issue.
July 18, 2004
Unity and diversity
By Bishop Edwin M. Conway
Around this civil holiday time of the year (July 4), especially during political nomination campaigns, the theme of unity and diversity is often sounded as the great underlying richness of our nation.
July 4, 2004
What are ‘the bishops’?
Writing recently on the vocation and duties of bishops, Pope John Paul II said that each bishop is “a living sign of the Lord Jesus … a living continuation of the mystery of Christ for the Church.”
June 20, 2004
The vocation of a warrior
Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, dean of the College of Cardinals and Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, told me that President Reagan had died.
June 6, 2004
At the threshold of the apostles: the pilgrimage to Rome
Last week, the auxiliary bishops of the Archdiocese and I went to Rome to pray at the tombs of Saints Peter and Paul and to visit Peter’s successor and the bishops who assist him in the Roman Curia.
May 23, 2004
In the joy of the Lord ...
During the Easter season, the hymns sing of our joy in Christ’s conquering sin and death. Even in the midst of great sorrow, followers of Christ live in the joy that faith in the resurrection brings.
May 9, 2004
Liturgy and Unity
The Archdiocesan Pastoral Council numbers about sixty Catholics of the Archdiocese, mostly laity elected by deanery, who advise me about policy and about the pastoral situation in Cook and Lake Counties.
April 25, 2004
Not church and state but faith and life
Much in the news these days are stories of Catholic politicians whose public positions diverge from the moral teachings of the faith they profess. Usually these stories are framed as instances of Church-State conflict: authoritarian bishops trying to impose sectarian dogmas on brave politicians striving to represent all their constituents.
April 11, 2004
The Church and the Eucharist: the Body of the Risen Lord
“The Church draws her life from the Eucharist.” This is how Pope John Paul II begins his encyclical letter published last year on the Eucharist. When we speak of “the Church” in public statements or even in private conversation, we often speak in historical, sociological or political ways.
March 28, 2004
‘On the night he was betrayed ...’
Talking about the Mel Gibson film on the passion of Jesus Christ last week, I was asked why Jesus had to go to his death, why did he have to die to save us?
March 14, 2004
Who wears green on St. Patrick’s Day?
St. Patrick’s Day has become more and more of a celebration for everyone in recent years, because something of the Irish story belongs to the world.
February 29, 2004
Accompanying Christ in his Passion
The season of Lent draws us into the mystery of Christ’s passion, death and resurrection. From Ash Wednesday to the Easter Vigil, the Church’s liturgy is designed to immerse us in the great mystery of our redemption, conforming us more closely to Christ as we pray through the events that bring us salvation.
February 15, 2004
To have and to hold from this day forward
World Marriage Day was February 8, and St. Valentine’s Day was February 14. The connection between marriage and romantic love makes the personal sacrifice required for a good marriage a source of joy for husband and wife.
February 1, 2004
What divisions need to be overcome?
The public celebration of the birthday of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. invariably includes the singing of the civil rights anthem of the 1960’s: “We Shall Overcome.”
January 18, 2004
What is the sin against the Holy Spirit?
National Catholic Schools Week (Jan. 25-31) gives all of us who have benefited from Catholic education in parochial and other Catholic schools an opportunity to thank the teachers and administrators and staff of these schools for their dedication to the mission of Catholic education.
January 4, 2004
Together on the journey: the Church, migrants and refugees
The Christmas season brings us into the mystery of the Incarnation of God’s only begotten Son through a succession of liturgical celebrations.
