By listening we all walk together. Along the route of life we must encourage forgiveness but not exoneration.

Of the many things my dad passed on to his children, a reverence for our Ukrainian identity and the strong faith and spirituality that it nurtured in us is his greatest legacy.

While the church teaches that baptism is indeed necessary for salvation, God does not need us to complete a ritual in order to care for our children.

Where else would we have listened to each other this way? Not online these days. Not at a school board meeting. Not at a political debate. Not at a family gathering. Not even in church.

What is it that draws so many people to a church’s pews week after week?

Do we actually believe in the idea of having fish on Fridays as a form of self-mortification or solidarity with those who have less? Or do we look at it more like paying our taxes — giving up the least possible amount?