Once again sexual addiction is in the news! The recently resigned governor of New York has admitted involvement with prostitutes. Such behavior is more likely the sign of an addiction rather than just a momentary indiscretion.

Years of historical study have not kept me from being amazed by current trends. But I was shocked by the advertisement in our local paper offering to use cremains, the ashes after cremation, to make a diamond to be worn in memory of the deceased. Funeral practices change with new technologies and are widely diverse among countries and cultures but the Catholic Church living among all these has a faith that seeks to honor the diversity while preserving God's revelation in Christ. I hope my surprise is actually a feature of my Catholic faith in the resurrection of the body.

This weekend, 250 people gathered in Springfield for a day of reflection on women in the ministry of Jesus. The gathering featured reflection on the Samaritan woman who met Jesus at the well (John 4:5-52).

A pastor mentioned to his priest friends that he had not taken a vacation in 10 years. A brother priest responded, "You ought to take one for the sake of your people."

Two years ago, I asked our parishioners to eat chocolate. We got a big response; in fact, we sold out of our free trade chocolate and coffee. And parishioners wrote to several international companies asking them to stop the trafficking in child labor that sustains their huge profits. Free trade chocolate, like all free trade products, provides more money for the families that grow the product by bypassing the companies that otherwise have a monopoly on the market.

What would you say about Jesus to a group of Christians made up of 50 percent ethnic Jews and 50 percent non-Jews? That was only one of the major questions facing Matthew when he wrote the Gospel account which bears his name. I begin teaching a five-week course on Matthew on Jan. 24 and the public is invited. I suspect we will have at least as diverse a group as Matthew had in Antioch and the questions may be at least as vexing. I hope if you read any further you will be enticed to come.

High school graduation is one of life's milestones - those moments or events that radically change life as you know it. After high school graduation, you will be expected to begin making decisions on your own. You might be anticipating college as a step toward independence or you might be looking for a job to help earn your way through life.

Catholic apologetics is the ability to defend and explain the Catholic faith. It has shown itself as an effective tool for evangelization to inform both Catholics and Protestants. But we must be cautious to not misuse this great instrument of catechesis by approaching it with an argumentative mentality.

Pope Benedict XVI’s recent visit to Africa has cast an international spotlight on a part of the world that people in this country sometimes have a hard time comprehending. Many of our impressions of the African continent are shaped by nature documentaries we see on television. We may think of Africa as a place of stark desert and vast plains, full of exotic wildlife.

There is something about going to Mass on the fourth Sunday of Lent — Laetare Sunday — and seeing the Mass celebrant in rose-colored vestments rather than the usual Lenten purple, that may brighten our spirits. There are still days of prayer, penance and charity ahead for us in this penitential season, but there is also an element of anticipation. This is a time to set our bearings straight.

This week, Catholic Times is delighted to bring you our annual section honoring Parish School of Religion programs. In these heartwarming stories, you will read about children and young people in our diocese who thirst to learn more about the Catholic faith and how to incorporate its practice into their daily lives.

Last weekend catechumens and candidates from throughout the diocese came to the see city to participate in the Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion with Bishop George J. Lucas. Depending on where they live, they came either on Saturday evening or Sunday afternoon during the first weekend of Lent. Moreover, bishops all over the world were welcoming people in that same ceremony.

This year, our Lenten experience is likely to be influenced by a simultaneous unease over the state of our national and world economy. Even as the church invites us into the "desert" experience with Jesus, we are perhaps experiencing our own deep discomfort about finances and personal security.

How can we respond?

Ash Wednesday marks the start of a liturgical season of preparation before Easter. During Lent, the Catholic Church calls upon the faithful to observe a period of fasting, repentance, moderation and spiritual discipline, as they reflect upon the life, teachings and sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

The birth of octuplets to a California woman in late January has raised a series of disturbing questions about the use or misuse of fertility treatments. The media have been fascinated with the unfolding story of Nadya Suleman. She is the woman who already has six children, but convinced a doctor to implant multiple embryos in her womb, knowing the risks for the life and health of both mother and babies.

This coming week Americans ­- especially those of us who reside in Illinois - will remember the 200th birthday of one of our favorite sons, President Abraham Lincoln.

In this time of great change and turmoil, we in this country and especially in our home state will do well to recall Abe, his faith, his perseverance and his ideals. This Christian and honest man who said, "Whatever you do, do it well" has gone down in history as quite possibly the most important president this country has ever known.

Sign-up will be beginning this weekend in parishes across the diocese for the next series of Why Catholic? meetings. If you participated in last fall's sessions, you won't want to miss the spring sessions. If you didn't participate in the first round, you might want to consider joining in this next series of Why Catholic? meetings.

Last week was filled with momentous occasions, which will forever live in the history of this country. The smooth and orderly transition from one president to another on Inauguration Day, which people in the United States take for granted, is beyond the comprehension of people in many countries around the world.

All eyes will be on Washington, D.C., this week as Barack Obama is sworn in as the 44th president of the United States.

The inauguration activities begin Sunday afternoon, when President-elect Obama will host a welcome ceremony on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. On Tuesday, the new president and vice president will take the oath of office. Following the traditional inaugural parade, 10 official balls (and many unofficial festivities) will be held in the D.C. area.

This weekend, as you prepare your parish offerings, you'll find an envelope for your subscription to Catholic Times. That's because it's time for our diocesan paper's annual renewal and special collection.

If you are reading this editorial, you are probably a regular reader - and for that we're thankful. We realize that money is tight this year. However, we'd like you to consider this - for $15 you receive a whole year's subscription of Catholic Times. What a bargain!

Happy New Year to our readers from the staff of Catholic Times!

The past 12 months have been tumultuous ones for our church, our nation and the world, as you can read in the annual Year-in-Review pages in this week's issue of CT.

In many ways the world looked bleak in 2008 and presents real challenges to people of good will in 2009.

In community after community throughout the state, where the impact ofa seriously eroding economic system is forcing many families to seekhelp simply keeping a roof over their heads and food on their tables,people are stepping up to help their neighbors through this crisisduring this blessed season.

The month of December is the time of year when charitable giving usually reaches its peak. Christians frequently mark the Advent and Christmas seasons by donating to various organizations in honor of God's most generous gift to us, his Son. In addition, Christians and non-Christians alike may be looking for worthy causes to support in order to make tax-deductible gifts before the end of the calendar year.

During this busy month leading up to the December holidays, the pressure is on to "do it all." With just over two weeks to go before Christmas, chances are we're all feeling more than just a little stressed.

Bake those cookies! Shop for those gifts! Clean the house because company's coming! It snowed again, have to shovel!  And money's tight, especially this year. What do we do?