Young Adult Catholics

How We Must Respond to the Inquisition of the Twenty-First Century

Phillip Clark — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 06:21:03 +0000

Although many have anticipated it, I could not fathom such a setback taking place. My Piscean hope and optimism impelled me to believe that the Vatican would never take such a bold, pointed step, displaying that it was intent on stifling any sort of objective or progressive way of thinking that was taking place within [...]

Rules for radicals: “Stay with these”

Justin Sengstock — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 06:13:11 +0000

In 2010, foreign-correspondent-turned-cultural-critic Chris Hedges published Death of the Liberal Class. The book traces the decline of groups like organized labor, the media, the academy, and the church that once effectively challenged moneyed interests. Hedges argues that over the last several decades, most of the “liberal class” assimilated into the corporate establishment, and the remaining [...]

Holy Week and the now

Justin Sengstock — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 17:34:30 +0000

Maybe the Eastern Orthodox have a better name for Holy Week. They call it Great and Holy Week. It’s holy, sure, but lots of things are holy. “Great” emphasizes just how set apart Holy Week is, like the Passover observance it’s related to. In the ritual dialogue of the Seder meal, the youngest person at [...]

CTA 20/30 Leadership Team Reports Priorities & Goals from Planning Retreat

Ryan Hoffmann — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 13:51:44 +0000

Dear CTA 20/30 Community, The CTA 20/30 Leadership Team met the weekend of February 25th to re-connect with each other, review last year’s programming goals, and plan for our work together in 2012. Our time together was both nourishing and productive. We are off and running! To all those who gave us feedback on last [...]

“We have all known the long loneliness”

Justin Sengstock — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 06:00:51 +0000

On St. Patrick’s Day, my parents drove to my grandmother’s house to let the meter reader in. It’s been vacant since she passed away in July 2008—we’re still trying to sell it. The meter reader was late. So Mom and Dad set up lawn-chairs near the magnolia, blossoming eerily early in the 80-degree heat, and [...]

Our Lady of the Pink Line

Justin Sengstock — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 04:39:04 +0000

Urban centers have religious art in random, surprising places. Here is some from Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood. (Taken on the Loop-bound platform of the 18th Street Pink Line station, August 29, 2011. Image copyright (c) Justin Sengstock.)

Decalogue

Justin Sengstock — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 07:08:30 +0000

Today is the first day of Lent, and Lent makes me think of the Ten Commandments. When I went to confession as a kid, in CCD class or high school, someone typically handed me a Xeroxed examination of conscience based on them. Lent is, among other things, an examination of conscience for the whole Church. [...]

Under my roof

Justin Sengstock — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:04:13 +0000

I thought I was done talking about the liturgy. I really thought I was. There is a point where you move from “vibrant and ongoing conversation” to “dead horse of a thousand contusions,” especially when you’re blogging. I get that. But one of my friends called me right before New Year’s, and we talked about [...]

Why Madonna’s Super Bowl Performance Could Initiate a Much-Needed Conversation

Phillip Clark — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 00:48:52 +0000

Feelings are pointless, don’t ever let anyone see you cry, and make sure to master the art of sports to the best of your ability. This sums up the standard American definition of what constitutes a man. For my whole life, I’ve been aware that nearly all of the facets of my personality ran counter to such a manifesto. [...]

The Bishops vs. HHS – What Do You Think?

Lacey Louwagie — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 03:29:03 +0000

Recently, a reader of our blog left the following comment on our editorial page: I would be interested in any thoughts you all might have on the current bishops vs HHS issue. I am trying to sort mine out. I have a number of questions now that, after the Army, I have time to pray, [...]