Vol. 74, No. 11
Cover
Deathbed confusion
By Heather Grennan Gary
The prayer for a "good death" has been a long-standing Catholic tradition, but in today's world of feeding tubes and living wills, Catholics may also want to pray for clarity. Heather Grennan Gary tries to sort out the issues Catholic families struggle with at the end of life.
Reader Survey
Life support
By Mary Lynn Hendrickson
Being pro-life is about more than politics, U.S. Catholic readers say. In our Reader Survey Mary Lynn Hendrickson collects their testimonies on how they are weaving their own seamless garments.
Feature
In the service
By John Lasker
With two wars in progress, there is a significant shortage of Catholic chaplains in the U.S. armed forces. John Lasker reports on both those who follow and those who question the military's marching orders.
Interview
It takes a parish
An interview with Msgr. Arturo Banuelas
Whether it's lay leadership, community outreach, or the Sunday liturgy, the parishioners of St. Pius X in El Paso, Texas are a ¡Sí, se puede! crowd. Their pastor, Msgr. Arturo Banuelas, reflects on what he's learned from this community on the border.
Essays
(Essays, short stories, and poems may not be available online)
Survivor's guilt
By Ken Maafe
Life is short, finds Ken Maafe. And All Souls Day the a perfect time to reflect on the terrible unfinished business of our imperfect world.
Sometimes I feel like a motherless child
By Maryann McCullough
At age 67, few people would call Maryann McCullough an orphan, but what she misses in her parents, she realizes, can point her to God.
Bars
By Joan Sauro, C.S.J.
For her adult children bars are something to hold on to, but for Mom they're something to cross over. A story by Joan Sauro, C.S.J.
In Person: Divine comedian
By Diane Carlton
From Saturday Night Live to New in Town, character actress Siobhan Fallon Hogan has folks laughing out loud, but when it comes to her Catholic faith, reports Diane Carlton, she takes it quite seriously.
Practicing Catholic: Be here now
By Kathy Daley
A pesky visitor teaches Kathy Daley about living in the moment.
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: Are there rules for decorating churches?
Columns
The Examined Life: Use your inside voice
By Bryan Cones
Margin Notes: Please sir, I want some more
By Kevin Clarke
Culture in Context: Inalienable rights
By Patrick McCormick
Testaments: Poor examples
By Alice Camille