Remembering Pope Francis
Today marks a year since the death of Pope Francis. Over the past year, my initial anxiety about “who comes next?” has transitioned into a growing appreciation for our new Pope. In fact, much of the admiration that I feel...
Tagged: grief
Loss, grief, and faith for survivors of suicide
If you are having thoughts of suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 (TALK). You can find more resources from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention here. He died of an incurable disease. That’s how I normally respond to...
To be made whole
My schedule today meant that I was unable to attend Mass at my parish, and I wound up going to Mass at another nearby church for All Saints’ Day. The Mass was celebrated simply — there was no music, there...
Where Peter Is at 4: Hardship, hope, and gratitude
It’s hard to believe it’s been four years since we launched Where Peter Is. That’s right, on February 1, 2018, Paul Fahey clicked “publish” on a post entitled “Love the Pope,” and thus began a project that continues to grow...
The Synod, Christian dialogue, and a lesson on hope
When the General Secretariat for the Synod of Bishops released its preparatory document for the Synod for a Synodal Church in September, one of the items highlighted was a statement that “dialogue between Christians of different confessions, united by one...
Responding to our woundedness and the bruises of daily life
I recently sang at the funeral of a much beloved parishioner who led a full, rich, purpose-driven life. “Celebration” and “Resurrection” were true and meaningful words to the 300 or 400 people who filled the church at noon the funeral...
The Anniversary of 9/11: I Remember
People are often surprised at my long history at CBS News. CBS, after all, isn’t exactly a farm team for Catholic clergy. I am probably the only man in history who went from working for Katie Couric to working for...
Our Unfolding Suffering
Many Catholics today try to find solace in their suffering by imposing meaning upon their experiences. The desire to make sense of the chaos of the modern age often leads people to attempt to customize their lives and the lives...
My Sister’s Heart
One of the most formative events of my life happened a year before I was born. When she was about six weeks old, my sister Katie—my parents’ firstborn, the answer to prayer after years of infertility—was found to have a...
“Blessed Are They Who Mourn” in the Time of COVID-19
Over 502,000 people have now lost their lives to Covid-19 since the first case was reported in the United States. The numbers of those sickened and who have died are staggering. It’s easy to become numb to the reality they...
“Everything Is Grace” at Christmas with Pope Francis
We sat in the car, my husband and I, still stunned, trying to eat a quick dinner before we drove to the hospital. I was avoiding looking at the medical building we had left earlier, the one with the unfamiliar...
Hope, not Stoicism, is the Christian’s response
I lost someone I love. There are simply no words to describe how devastating this has been. I am no stranger to the topic of grief in my writings. The one experience that keeps coming back to me during the...
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