U.S. Catholic
January 2006; Volume 71, Number 1
cover story
Inconceivable:
The spiritual test of infertility
When couples can’t get pregnant, they not only
have questions for their doctor but for God, too.
Heidi Schlumpf explores answers they find.
expert witness
Is there life after death?
When the sudden loss of her husband and daughter flung Paula D’Arcy into the abyss of grief, she wondered if she would ever find joy again.
In an interview with the editors she shares what she learned on her way out of the depths.
features
A woman’s place is in the Bible
If you think the Old Testament is just about Moses, Abraham, and the rest of the boys, Gina Hens-Piazza has good news for you. With Hebrew heroines like Judith, Ruth, and Esther, the history of God’s holy people is full of girl power.
The church we deserve
In accepting the 2005 U.S. Catholic Award, Justice Anne M. Burke rules that a renewed church requires an engaged laity.
Anchored woman
The Good News inspires Kate Sullivan when she reports the evening news. Helaine R. Freeman has the story in In Person.
sounding board
Let’s get in touch with God’s feminine side
If God is neither male nor female, why do we always pray to “him”? We shouldn’t, says Margaret M. Brennan in Sounding Board, as she argues for more variety in our language about God. Readers watch their inclusive language in Feedback.
essays/opinion
Bless the beasts and the BMWs
Father Paul Boudreau in Practicing Catholic just can’t find anything unworthy of a splash of holy water and a sprinkle of prayer. Bless him!
Student teachers
In The Examined Life, Lisa-Marie Calderone-Stewart suggests grown-ups could learn a lot about interreligious dialogue if they’d let teens lead the way.
departments
Editors’ Note
You May Be Right: Letters
Signs of the Times: News
Catholic Tastes
Glad You Asked: Don’t we have any “church mothers”?
Reviews
Spirituality Café
Meditation: Jim Forrest
columns
Odds & Ends
Peter Gilmour: Chalk it up to a new year
Margin Notes
Kevin Clarke: Our sisters’ keeper
Testaments
Alice Camille: Whatever possessed us?
Culture in Context:
Patrick McCormick: The walking wounder