Fr Jim Martin presents his third video blog on prayer this time on the practice of lectio divina Previous video blogs covered the examination of conscience and Ignatian contemplation Tim Reidy

As many readers of this blog probably know The Synod on the Word of God begins in October and lasts for most of the month The purpose of the gathering is for the world s bishops to discuss the place of Scripture in the life of the church America s special issue on the synod has just been pub

America magazine rsquo s special election blog is designed to help teachers in civics history politics and journalism use the blog to stimulate discussion in the classroom facilitate research projects by the students and familiarize the students with Catholic social thought and what that traditi

Fr Jim Martin follows up on his first video blog on prayer with an introduction to Ignatian contemplation Check back in over the coming weeks for reflections on lectio divina and other forms of prayer Tim Reidy

Evans and Novak Brooks and Shields Now we have Winters and Malone Listen to In All Things blogger Michael Sean Winters and America associate editor Matt Malone S J discuss the two party conventions on our special election 2008 podcast This is the first of a series of podcasts on the election

With the GOP convention wrapping up tonight Matt Malone S J and Kathleen Kennedy Townsend continue their discussion of E J Dionne s Souled Out lt i gt and the broader issue of religion and politics In his latest post Matt writes Dionne argues in his book that the religiosity of the Bus

First to Peter Steinfels of the New York Times now to America columnist Father John Kavanaugh S J Read Kmiec s response to Father Kavanaugh s open letter to Barack Obama here A sampling Father Kavanaugh rsquo s ldquo to do list rdquo for Senator Obama has received substantial attention F

Our political bloggers will say more later about John McCain s surprising pick of Gov Sarah Palin of Alaska as his vice-presidential running mate For now one part of her biography is worth noting Palin s fifth child has Down s Syndrome which was discovered during prenatal testing Yet Pal

In conjunction with the party conventions this week and next Matt Malone S J is discussing E J Dionne s Souled Out Reclaimign Faith amp Politics After the Religious Right with Kathleen Kennedy Townsend the former lieutenant governor of Maryland and author of Failing America s Faithful

Hope you ll enjoy America s first foray into video blogging Fr Jim Martin talks about how to incorporate prayer into your daily life nbsp Tim Reidy