Last month, we had the opportunity to interview Jesuit Father Joseph Fessio, who was a Ph.D. student of then-Professor Joseph Ratzinger in Germany over 50 years ago.

Father Fessio and Pope Benedict XVI had a successful and fruitful partnership in many ways. Of the 66 books that Pope Benedict wrote throughout his life, most of the English versions were published by Father Fessio’s creation, Ignatius Press. If we were to survey all the writings of this prodigious professor/scholar-pastor/theologian, where would we start?

During a Mass celebrating the 60th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council, Pope Francis observed, “If [the Church] should fail to rejoice, she would deny her very self, for she would forget the love that begot her,” he said. “Yet how many of us are unable to live the faith with joy, without grumbling and criticizing? A Church in love with Jesus has no time for quarrels, gossip and disputes. May God free us from being critical and intolerant, harsh and angry!”

Jesus used parables to illustrate important spiritual truths to listeners hungering to know about the Kingdom of God. Parables also serve to protect timeless truths from skeptics and nay-sayers. We are delighted to review an extended parable written by John Pearring, who is not a stranger to our diocese.

What are the political implications of being a Christian in America? At a time of sharp ideological polarities, as both major political parties seem to be locked in an intractable steel-cage death match, let’s sort out these issues see if there is a road to walk.