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Oliver Buchannon
James Keating
A Tale of Two Notre Dames

Mar 2, 2026

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15 min read

A Tale of Two Notre Dames

Something is shifting in the young Church. Just look to Notre Dame University and Notre Dame de Paris for an enthusiasm that hasn’t been seen in generations. But does it mean the end of decline?

James Keating
James Keating
Notre Dame’s Crisis of Leadership

Feb 16, 2026

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16 min read

Notre Dame’s Crisis of Leadership

The appointment of pro-abortion professor Susan Ostermann to a high-level position has drawn ire, but she is not to blame. The university's leadership has lost sense of what it means to be Catholic.

James Keating
James Keating
In Defense of Bishop Barron

Feb 2, 2026

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15 min read

In Defense of Bishop Barron

Despite attacks from a certain segment of Catholic commentators, Bishop Barron is a model of how to be a good bishop in times of turmoil.

James Keating
James Keating
The Eclipse of Confession Reconsidered

Jan 19, 2026

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13 min read

The Eclipse of Confession Reconsidered

Popular wisdom states that popularity of the sacrament of Confession is gone, never to return. But looking around suggests otherwise.

James Keating
James Keating
Welcoming the Stranger—Without Losing Our Way

Jan 5, 2026

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14 min read

Welcoming the Stranger—Without Losing Our Way

There is a growing gulf between Catholic pastoral guidance on immigration and the Trump administration’s deportation tactics. How can we find a balance between the bishops’ idealism and Trump’s realism?

James Keating
James Keating
Why Newman? Why Now?

Dec 15, 2025

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13 min read

Why Newman? Why Now?

St. John Henry Newman was named a Doctor of Church last month. How did this prelate, whose wider acceptance was never assured, become the most influential theologian of the Vatican II era?

James Keating
James Keating
Introducing The Fourth Watch

Dec 1, 2025

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7 min read

Introducing The Fourth Watch

Despite declining literacy skills, I've never met a generation of students more invested in the big questions.

James Keating
James Keating

The Fourth Watch

The Fourth Watch refers to the stretch between 3 and 6 am when the night is darkest and dawn, while soon to break in, is most in doubt.

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This publication was made possible through the support of Grant 63598 from the John Templeton Foundation. The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the John Templeton Foundation.