Shannon Schmidt

1 month ago | uscatholic.org | Nathaniel Hunter |Shannon Schmidt

Jesus’ crucifixion was brutal. There’s no way to overlook that fact. As Christians, we believe it was the pivotal moment in all human history. This means if we want to teach the next generation about the gospel, talking to children about Jesus’ death is important. Yet, how do we talk to children about such an upsetting truth in an age-appropriate way that also does not set them up to have false understandings of God? To invite them into a relationship with the crucified Lord who loves them.

1 month ago | uscatholic.org | Nathaniel Hunter |Shannon Schmidt

For our Sounding Board column, U.S. Catholic asks authors to argue one side of a many-sided issue of importance to Catholics around the country. We also invite readers to submit their responses to these opinion essays—whether agreement or disagreement—in the survey that follows. A selection of the survey results appear below, as well as in the March 2025 issue of U.S. Catholic. You can participate in our current survey here. There’s no more impactful institution in my life than the Catholic parish.

Dec 6, 2024 | outcomesmagazine.com | Kara Powell |Shannon Schmidt |Scott Brown

Mike’s name flashed across my (Shannon’s) cell phone screen at eleven o’clock at night, only a few minutes after I had turned out the light. After a year of leading youth ministry together, Mike and I had become close friends, but the lateness of the hour was rare for a phone callMike began the call by apologizing, “I’m so sorry to bother you, Shannon, but I wanted to let you know that the youth band was rehearsing in the Ministry Center and stayed past the timer on the building alarm.

Sep 25, 2024 | uscatholic.org | Nathaniel Hunter |Shannon Schmidt

The statistics about young people’s participation in the American church look bleak. When we look at Christian young people under 30 especially, they are far more likely to leave the church than they are to stay. Springtide Research Institute reports that nearly 40 percent of young people ages 13–25 “indicate that they are unaffiliated, whether agnostic, atheist, or ‘nothing in particular.’” As both a parent and former parish youth minister, these numbers are anxiety inducing for me.

Aug 28, 2024 | uscatholic.org | Nathaniel Hunter |Shannon Schmidt

Unlike most other parents, I don’t dread the beginning of the school year because of the kid-related stress (though it definitely contributes to the anxiety of early fall). Instead, as the wife of a school principal, I dread the inevitable hours I will spend bearing the domestic and mental labor to care for our family.