The psalmist this Sunday calls on the Lord as shepherd of Israel to take care of and protect the vine he has planted. President-elect Barack Obama stepped forward this week to introduce his economic leadership team and recovery plan . . .

"Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come," Jesus advised in this Sunday's gospel. The world's oceanic shipping companies are saying the same to their captains and crews in the wake of increased piracy . . .

Homeless and hungry people are thankful for a pair of remarkable 11-year-old boys this Thanksgiving. First up: sixth-grader Jack Davis of Miami. Earlier this year Davis watched Florida governor Charlie Crist sign into law a bill that Davis had proposed . . .

Saint Paul in the second reading this Sunday tells the Corinthians that in Christ "you were enriched in every way." People feel the same way about 11-year-old Brenden Foster of Bothell, Washington, who died last Friday. . . .

"Why do you let us wander?" is a question posed in this Sunday's reading from the Book of Isaiah. It is also a question in the mind of Hiroshi Nohara, who has wandered the Mexico City airport for almost three months. . . .

"Instead of throwing fish in the crowd, we should be teaching people how to fish."

Fifty-six percent of Americans said they would spend less this year on holiday travel. Only 6 percent polled said they planned to spend more.