A recent New York Times story on the birth of the universe produces awe and amazement ldquo It rsquo s not every day that you wake up and find what happened one trillionth of a trillionth of a trillionth of a second after the big bang rdquo quipped a prominent cosmologist Science 3 21 New di

This Advent I am beginning again the practice of Centering Prayer This time I am inspired by David Frenette rsquo s fine book The Path of Centering Prayer Deepening Your Experience of God In his work Frenette develops the teaching of his mentor Fr Thomas Keating the founding father of the

Sidney Callahan answers questions from America's editors about her article on the feminist movement.

In 1963, Betty Friedan’s book, The Feminine Mystique, launched second-wave feminism in an astounding way. Millions of copies were sold, and many women since have claimed, “It changed my life.” Opponents were equally aroused, and different interpretations of feminism have remained o

Our good new Pope inspires both joyful and anxious hope in reform minded Catholics

On Feb. 11, 2013, Pope Benedict XVI announced a decision that will have far-reaching implications for the modern church.

nbsp Pope Benedict rsquo s resignation can be viewed as a positive development for Catholics seeking church reform Even those who disagree with many of Benedict rsquo s theological views and actions readily recognize and praise his essential goodness as a virtuous person Benedict has served Chri

Since the Newtown tragedy atheists have written essays defending their responses to such tragedies They want to show that atheists too can console those who mourn without resorting to faith in God or a future life Susan Jacoby has entered the lists with a recent New York Times article 1 6 13 ent

nbsp Why have children nbsp ldquo Hey Mom have you heard about the new book asking why have children rdquo nbsp My son who rsquo s asking is 47 the youngest of six sons and one daughter aged 57 to 47 nbsp We are helping each other do the dishes after a convivial family dinner nbsp

The dust up over Representative Todd Akin rsquo s statement that women who are raped rarely get pregnant has made the front page nbsp of The New York Times August 21 2012 Akin is a Republican pro life advocate whose campaign remarks were based on the publications of Dr John C Willke the former