“Having trouble focusing in the office? Make sure you hit vibrate on your phone: A constantly ringing (or beeping) cell can significantly inhibit your ability to stay on task — as well as that of anyone within earshot, according to a recent report in the Journal of Environmental Psychology,” reported Parents magazine on its blog. “The study authors found that a ringing cell phone can slow memory recall, decision making and cognitive functioning of anyone within hearing range.”

The Church has long understood the importance of silence: “Contemplative prayer is silence, the ‘symbol of the world to come’ or ‘silent love.’ Words in this kind of prayer are not speeches; they are like kindling that feeds the fire of love. In this silence, unbearable to the ‘outer’ man, the Father speaks to us his incarnate Word, who suffered, died and rose; in this silence the Spirit of adoption enables us to share in the prayer of Jesus” (Catechism, No. 2717).