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U.S. Catholic ∙ Vol. 74, No. 1 ∙ January 2009
Special Women's Issue 

Hidden in plain sight: The shadow world of human trafficking
The victims of human trafficking cross our borders into bondage every day. You may have passed one on the street on your way to work. KEVIN CLARKE reports on a human tragedy unfolding silently before our eyes.

Catholic and feminist: You got a problem with that?
The Catholics and the feminists should be friends, says MEGAN SWEAS. In Sounding Board she argues they have more in common than they may realize. Readers struggle a little more with their feminist identity in Feedback.  

The Prophet’s daughters
In the West the expression Muslim feminist is treated like an oxymoron. But in Expert Witness SYAFA ALMIRZANAH explains how even in Muhammad’s time women had a leading role to play in Islamic culture

Better to have loved and learned…
How should a wise priest prepare for a lifetime of ministry? BRIAN DOYLE learns how a well-managed little black book helped one young man’s discerning social life.

Ivy League of her own
SHARON KUGLER is the first woman, the first layperson, and the first Catholic to serve as Yale University chaplain. In In Person she tells HEIDI SCHLUMPF how she hit an Eli trifecta.

FEATURES

New year, new you: Stretch your soul in 10 minutes a day
Need to work on your abominables? If you’re firmly resolved to change in 2009, HEATHER GRENNAN GARY details a workout regime toward your totally pumped-up spirit.   

ESSAYS/OPINIONS

Watch your back: The saints’ guide to politics
It was another grueling election season, complete with the usual backstabbing, slander, and poison-laced wine goblets – and that’s just to get to the beatification. PATRICK GALLAGHER looks at what modern politicians could learn from the lives of some of our scheming saints.

Bless me, mother
In Practicing Catholic ANNMARIE SCOBEY remembers how the enormity of her foster daughter’s past abuse and her many future challenges seemed too much to bear. That’s why this mom of four began a new nightly ritual, offering her worries up to the one who can bear them all.  

DEPARTMENTS

Editors' Note
You May Be Right – LETTERS
Signs of the Times – NEWS
Catholic Tastes – HUMOR
Glad You Asked: ARE THE GOSPELS HISTORICAL?
Culture in context: REVIEWS
At Home with Our Faith – FAMILY
Eye of the Beholder – Jerry Bleem, O.F.M.

COLUMNS

The Examined Life – Bryan Cones
POSITIVELY PRO-LIFE 

Testaments – Alice Camille
I WILL FOLLOW HIM 

Culture in Context – Patrick McCormick
WEAPONS OF SELF-DESTRUCTION 

Margin Notes – Kevin Clarke
PROMISES TO KEEP