A forum of Catholic Thought

Pope Francis' CBS interview is surprisingly and refreshingly clearGretchen R. Crowe

In one of the memorable early moments of his pontificate, Pope Francis told millions of young people gathered in Rio de Janeiro for World Youth Day to "Hagan lio!" or "Make a mess!" Some might say that, ...

How to give, receive and recognize gifts Gretchen R. Crowe

It's birthday month in our home, a time when four of the five of us flip the page that welcomes a new year and a new number. When you throw in Mother's Day, end-of-year events, new sacraments ...

It's time for a family and spiritual resetGretchen R. Crowe

Back in 2015, newly engaged, I signed on the dotted line (and initialed about 135 times) before departing from the cozy conference room with a new-to-me house. Before I left, the former owner looked at ...

Managing the growing chorus of opinions Gretchen R. Crowe

As our children get older, the number of voiced opinions under our roof seems to be growing exponentially by the day. Blessing 1 wants to listen to one particular kind of music; Blessing 2, another; ...

7 Awesome songs to sing this Easter seasonGretchen R. Crowe

''Jesus is risen and we shall arise: give God the glory! Alleluia!" It was on the final note of that refrain Easter morning that my almost four-year-old daughter, Anne, let her voice ring through ...

An Easter Octave challenge Gretchen R. Crowe

''This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad." Easter is here! Alleluia, he is risen! We have made it through our Lenten fast, we have walked with the Lord during his passion ...

What Pope Benedict XVI taught us about dying wellGretchen R. Crowe

What does it mean to die well? The end, it's inevitable for all of us. When, we don't know. How, we don't know. Where, we don't know. But we know it's coming. St. John Vianney, the ...