When he became the 18th president of the University of Notre Dame last year, Indiana native Father Robert A. Dowd chose a theme for the university’s community to consider.

It’s a theme connected to the ways that people are divided in this country, a theme based upon this question, “What do we owe each other?”

The Criterion is inviting our readers—our community—to share their answers to that question, as a way of starting the new year together. Your responses could range from a one-word answer to a personal story reflecting what you think we owe each other.

Please send your responses and stories to John Shaughnessy by e-mail at [email protected] or by mail in care of The Criterion, 1400 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN 46202. Please include your parish and a daytime phone number where you can be reached. †