Seeing History Anew: A Reflection on Celebrating Columbus Day in the Light of Faith

This two page reflection addresses the moral ambiguity of the U.S. Federal Columbus Day holiday. Questions for discussion are included.  

Can We Teach Peace?

September 21 is the International Day for Peace. In this three page reflection, long-time peace educator Colman McCarthy argues that peace can and should be taught in elementary and high schools....

Food Security: Famine in Somalia

This two page backgrounder provides critical information for understanding the famine in Somalia and surrounding areas. It reviews the region's tendency towards drought, how colonization played a...

Nuclear Energy and the Common Good: Survivors and Bishops Speak Out

In the wake of the earthquake in Japan, a growing number of people--including Nagasaki and Hiroshima survivors and a Japanese bishop--are raising concerns about nuclear energy. This three page...

The Whistleblower

This film guide overviews the recently released drama The Whistleblower. The film tells the story of Nebraska police officer Kathy Bolkovac who uncovered human trafficking while working for a private...

Alabama Immigration Law Threatens Free Exercise of Religion

Alabama has passed a law that would make it a crime to knowingly assist an illegal immigrant by providing them a ride, a job, a place to live or any other kind of social assistance, including...

Teaching Aid: Busy Christian’s Guide to Catholic Social Teaching

This twenty-four page resource offers not only a brief summary of all major documents relating to Catholic Social Teaching, but it also includes fun trivia, each document’s significant or key...
Prayer Service

Prayer Service for Back to School

Start the school year off by fostering your students’ spirituality. This prayer service includes an opening and closing prayer, readings from the gospel of John, Corinthians, and the Book of...
Prayer Service

Prayer Service for the 10th Anniversary of 9/11

The upcoming anniversary of 9/11 offers us an opportunity to prayerfully reflect on that tragedy and on the challenge of creating a more peaceful world in memory of those lost and wounded by the...

Jobs: A Moral Crisis

“The job crisis in the U.S. and globally is not only an economic crisis, it is a moral crisis,” argues Maria Riley in this three page reflection. Riley argues that the convergence of multiple...

Faith Communities Respond to Unemployment

Continued high rates of unemployment have spurred many congregations, including Catholic parishes, to organize support for the emotional and material needs of workers. Chicago-based Interfaith Worker...