Catholics and prayer in public schools

The conjunction of two recent articles on American Catholic history, specifically the history of prayer in schools, provides a timely warning for church involvement in politics.

Honor for Lamy of Santa Fe

Bishop Jean-Baptiste Lamy faced conflict and put down stable roots, but died with unfinished visions.

The Boss and Catholicism: Springsteen’s memoirs

Springsteen’s world remains one of “great and harsh beauty, of fantastic stories, of unimaginable punishment and infinite reward.” The world is “dark and beatific,” a place of intense grace but also where we can turn into devils.