June 2014

Vol. 79, No. 6

Cover

Of two minds

By Ruth Graham
Is faith all in your head? Some scientists say we’re born with religion on the brain, but whether our spiritual synapses point to a higher power is a whole other matter.

Sidebar:

This is your brain on faith

Photo story

The places they’ll go

By Catherine O’Connell-Cahill
When people in the most remote, forgotten places look for help, thinking they’ll find none, what they’re more likely to find is a nun—or a whole community of them.

Expert Witness

A call of their own

An interview with theologian Deacon William T. Ditewig
Deacons are a permanent vocation like no other in the Catholic Church, says this veteran of the diaconate. But it’s outside the church walls where deacons do their most important work.

Web-only sidebar: 

Deacon William T. Ditewig on recruiting Hispanic deacons

Sounding Board

Think before you frack

By Dan Misleh
Catholics need to dig beneath the surface on the issue of fracking and extract some alternative energy solutions. In Feedback, readers add fuel to the debate over the use of fracking.

Essays

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

Poem: Your dad

By Brian Doyle

Essay: Say ‘Yes’ to a happy parish

By Paul Wilkes
A good pastor doesn’t make a great parish. He just knows when to stand back and let the people do it themselves.

In person: No dream too big

By Kristen Hannum
Ana Aguayo knew that someone had to speak out for the rights of undocumented immigrants. She just never thought it would be her.

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: Can we call God ‘Mother’?

Columns

The Examined Life: Corporate interests
By Kira Dault

Margin Notes: Paul’s letter to the poor
By Kevin Clarke

Culture in Context: To tell you the truth
By Sister Rose Pacatte, F.S.P.

Testaments: Fateful companion 
By Alice Camille