Parish life

Femme fidele

How women who work for the church keep the faith It’s lunchtime at St. Clement Parish in Chicago, and although some of the city’s best restaurants are within...

Words of wisdom

Find or be a mentor. Ministry associations are great, but informal groups work, too. “I’ve really found a lot of support in the older women who have paved the...

The need for closure

The day after their farewell Mass, parishioners of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Church were locked out. Archdiocesan officials had changed the locks days ahead...

In good company

If you’re looking for a faith community, you’re not alone. The day after graduating from Marquette University, Michelle Scaperlanda packed her...

The great awakening

The Second Vatican Council unleashed a wave of lay participation in the church—and there’s no turning back. Joan Higgins remembers when things began to change...