Vol. 81, No. 9

Cover

The talk(s)

By Claire Zulkey
There’s more to sexuality than the birds and the bees. Parents should start that conversation long before adolescence—and plan to keep having it.

Feature

To mourn with mercy

by Katie Bahr
High school pallbearer ministries bring community to those who die alone.

Interview

Everybody’s in

an interview with James Alison
You don’t need to exclude others to create community. Christ already volunteered to be the outsider.

Sounding Board

Let girls set the bar

by Sarah Butler
Girls and young women should pursue technology and the sciences—but only if they want to.

Essay

Holy disobedience

by Jim Forest
Following God might just mean saying no to authority.

Essay

Dance with me

by Annemarie Scobey
The greatness of God is revealed through the catchiest of pop songs, so crank up the volume and sing along.

In Person

Welcome signs

by Jessie Bazan
Carol Ruddell is on a mission to invite everyone into the body of Christ.

Columns

The Examined Life: Green and growing things
By Beth Haile

Margin Notes: Life’s work
By Kevin Clarke

Culture in Context: True to life
By Pamela Hill Nettleton

At Home with our Faith: School supplies
By Annemarie Scobey

Glad You Asked: What do Muslims think of Jesus?
By Marianne Farina, C.S.C.

Testaments: God’s great collaborator
By Alice Camille

Departments

Editors’ Note

You May Be Right (Letters to the Editor)

Signs of the Times (News)

Catholic Tastes (Humor)

Reviews

Eye of the Beholder (Art meditation)