March 2013

Vol. 78, No. 3

Cover

Truth and consequences

By Scott Alessi
America’s prison system is a department in need of corrections, and it may be the victims who hold the key to a better approach to criminal justice.

Web-only sidebars:

More from Alessi about a mother’s struggle with her son’s incarceration and restorative justice in New Zealand

Photo story

Caste off

By Megan Sweas
India’s untouchables struggle to erase the stigma of being called Dalit, but among Catholics there are two schools of thought on the best way to change their situation.

Interview

Caught between two worlds

An interview with theologian Timothy Matovina
Hispanic ministry is not about “welcoming the stranger,” says this expert on Latino Catholicism. Parishes must become a place where new generations of Latinos can feel at home.

Web-only sidebar:

How should the church respond to the Latino priest shortage?

Sounding Board

Speaking from experience

By Karen Dix
When homilies tread into unfamiliar territory, priests should look to the pews and let laypeople lend their expertise. In Feedback readers consider whether good homilists must practice what they preach.

Poem

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

Our Lady of the Priests’ Infirmary

By Evelyn Bence

Essays

I thirst

By Anne M. Windholz
When all hope has dried up, a water-soaked sponge can be all that’s left to sustain life.

Practicing Catholic: From death into life

By Mark C. Meade
Breaking bread alongside those who have been sentenced to die can change a man’s convictions.

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: Why did Jesus “descend into hell”?

Columns

The Examined Life: Back to the drawing board
By Bryan Cones

Margin Notes: A farewell to arms?
By Kevin Clarke

Culture in Context: A sad state of affairs
By Patrick McCormick

Testaments: In with the old
By Alice Camille