Author: Francis Mannion
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Viewpoint: Holy Thursday Washing of Women’s Feet Now Official
The matter of the washing of feet of women is likely to be omitted on Holy Thursday by a negative attitude toward women in the liturgy generally. Seminary faculty should make known to their seminarians in a positive spirit the fundamental contents of the recent Decree and the fundamental theology underlying it.
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Viewpoint: The Practice of Lenten Fasting Has Many Dimensions
We are reminded that we can never be satisfied by ordinary food, which satisfies only momentarily but then perishes.
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Viewpoint: Lay Ecclesial Ministry Programs Need Careful Implementation
Lay ecclesial ministry is still in the early stages of implementation and, understandably, exhibits some growing pains. Among these are a lack of clarity about this ministry and some exorbitant claims made for it.
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Viewpoint: Broken Reeds, Smoldering Wicks, and the Church’s Ministry
Every time we come to the Solemnity of the Baptism of the Lord, I think of one of my favorite scriptural passages: “A bruised reed he shall not break, and a smoldering wick he shall not quench.”
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Viewpoint: The Story of Christmas
Christmas is about Christ coming to us, and our coming to Christ—and most of all about our going out to each other. Most of all, Christmas promises us an imperishable inheritance from Christ who came once in Bethlehem will come again in glory.
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Viewpoint: ‘Spirituality’ Without ‘Religion’ Does Not Hold Up
There are a number of serious problems with spiritualties detached from religion.
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Viewpoint: The Pact of the Catacombs is Still Relevant Today
The Pact of the Catacombs can today inspire clergy to adopt its spirit in ways that are feasible.
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Viewpoint: Some Items That Caught My Attention Recently
I cannot write in this column about everything that comes across my desk. Even if I could, not everything would fill a complete column, but some things deserve a mention.
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Viewpoint: Reception of Communion from the Chalice is Intrinsic to the Mass
The mandate for the reception of the consecrated wine is built into the very fabric of the Mass.