January 2013

Cover

In their footsteps

By Heather Grennan Gary
A group of defining women blazed a new trail when they joined the ranks of Catholic theologians. Now the whole church is following their lead.

Web-only sidebar:

How the door was opened for Catholic women theologians

Stand alone moms

By Heidi Schlumpf
Raising a child alone can create a mother lode of problems, but with the right support system single moms overcome the perils of parenting alone.

Sidebar:

When Catholic institutions fire single moms

Interview

Get the facts in order

An interview with historian Gary Macy
A woman’s place wasn’t always only in the pew, says this scholar, who offers historical evidence that several leading ladies once wielded plenty of authority in the church.

Web-only sidebar:

Theology of orders in the ancient church and now

Sounding Board

The cost of living

By Kathy McGourty
Spending a little more on your latté can go a long way in helping coffee growers get through the daily grind. In Feedback, readers consider the price they’d pay to create a more just world.

Essays

(Essays, short stories, and poems are not available online.)

Kicking the habit

By Bren Ortega Murphy
The entertainment industry’s insistence on stereotype casting is missing the big picture on the roles of modern Catholic women.

We were called Sister

By Joan Sauro, C.S.J.
Their names may have changed, but the calling of women religious remains the same.

Practicing Catholic: The Word with friends

Departments

Editors’ Note

You May Be Right (Letters to the Editor)

Signs of the Times (News)

Catholic Tastes (Humor)

Culture in Context: Music, film, and book reviews

At Home with Our Faith  (Family spirituality)

Eye of the Beholder (Art meditation)

Glad You Asked: What is original sin?

Columns

The Examined Life: God willing?
By Bryan Cones

Margin Notes: Left out to dry
By Kevin Clarke

Culture in Context: Bad medicine
By Patrick McCormick

Testaments: Buy the book
By Alice Camille