In November’s cover story, we examine JFK 50 years on and how his election affected US Catholics.
"....Kennedy immediately began appearing in prominent positions on the walls of American Catholic homes, often next to an image of Jesus."

In his editorial, Fr Gerard Moloney highlights the lesson in hope from the recent rescue of the Chilean miners:
"The near flawless rescue of the miners was a tribute not only to the engineers and others who got them out, but also to the courage and resolution of the Chilean government and people. It offers practical lessons to us here in Ireland and to our church. A lesson, first of all, in hope. The miners could have abandoned hope during their days of confinement; they could have given way to utter despair especially in that early period when all seemed lost. But they didn’t. They stuck together; they shared what they had; they encouraged each other; they refused to surrender. That is the kind of hope we need during this time of economic hardship when we can feel like we are trapped in a pit of despair with no way out. And it is the kind of hope we must cling to as a Christian community, in the midst of the challenges and the scandals facing our church. Without hope, without the solid conviction that things will work out and we do have a future, there will be no hope for us as a country or a church."

Also in the current issue of Reality:
Learning to ease the pain: Bereavement, grief and loss are different for everyone and are so difficult to cope with. A trained listener shares her experiences of working for a support group that helps people deal with the loneliness of loss.
Purgatory hasn't gone away, you know: The doctrine of purgatory is simply a realistic response to the fact that even the saints and the best of us are not without imperfections, blind spots, and ambiguities.
Catholic and gay: Sories of love, pain, and happiness: The Catholic Church’s position on homosexuality is very clear, but what is it like to be Irish, Catholic, and gay, and is it time the church looked at the language it uses in relation to homosexuality?
Lesbian and Catholic - Eve's story: What gay people need is to figure out how they can love others, chastely in accordance with the church, but with all the passion and joy which love can bring.
Preacher man: How does a preacher prepare for the Sunday homily? We asked four churchmen to tell us how they do it.
Was a stranger and you welcomed me: It is 30 years since the death of Dorothy Day, a colourful Catholic convert who sought radical ways to do good.
Trocaire's helping hand: If you’ve ever questioned the effectiveness of overseas aid, then consider the inspirational story of Silas Kubwamariya.

Click here to find out more or to order your copy.