"In all circumstances give thanks," we are told in the Sunday reading from First Thessalonians. But with circumstances looking especially bleak for Detroit area residents who depend on foundering automakers for employment, many are turning to their pastoral leaders for guidance. ...

In this Sunday's first reading the prophet Isaiah proclaims glad tidings to the poor and liberty to captives. As the people of Zimbabwe, trapped in poverty and virtual political captivity, suffer a growing cholera crisis, ...

John the Baptist identifies himself as "the voice of one crying out in the desert . . ." in the Sunday gospel. But the voices crying out in the desert-like climes of Iraq these days are much more likely to belong to women. ...

Sunday's first reading speaks of a "year of favor from the Lord." But in Illinois political history it's been more like an era of favors. Governor Rod Blagojevich, arrested Tuesday on charges of corruption, is only the latest in a long line of corrupt politicians. ...

"The rich he has sent away empty," says the reading from the Gospel of Luke used as this Sunday's responsorial. As worshippers of all income brackets feel increasingly impoverished by a bad economy, they are starting to send the collection basket away empty. ...

"What's black and white and completely over?"

While the economy continues to turn down, personal savings are going up. The savings rate in the U.S. rose 1.3 percent in the third quarter of 2008, doubling the previous quarter's rate.