USCCB president calls for national moment of prayer on Good Friday April 4, 2020By Catholic News Service Filed Under: Coronavirus, Feature, News, World News Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, has invited U.S. Catholics to join him on Good Friday, April 10, to pray the Litany of the Sacred Heart at noon (EDT).
Catholic Church responded to plagues with penance, prayers April 4, 2020By Carol Zimmermann Filed Under: Coronavirus, News, World News Although the coronavirus pandemic brings to mind plagues from centuries ago, both with quarantines, fast-spreading diseases and deaths, there is one big difference on the spiritual side: Today’s pandemic is not, save but a lone voice or two, described as God’s punishment on humanity.
Spiritual communion helps connect Catholics to Christ April 2, 2020By George P. Matysek Jr. Filed Under: #IamCatholic, Coronavirus, Feature, Local News, News “It’s a sincere prayer saying that you believe that Jesus is present in the holy sacrament,” Father Poston explained, “and you desire to receive him and love him. But since you can’t, you invite Jesus to come into your heart and soul and be with you.”
In the footsteps of St. Isaac Jogues April 2, 2020By George P. Matysek Jr. Catholic Review Filed Under: #IamCatholic, Amen, Amen Matysek Commentary, Commentary, Coronavirus We can find solace in knowing that holy people such as St. Isaac Jogues have also been separated from reception of the Blessed Sacrament. Maybe we can find courage and perseverance in their example.
Vatican approves special ‘Mass in the Time of Pandemic’ April 2, 2020By Cindy Wooden Filed Under: Coronavirus, Feature, News, World News The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments has approved a special “Mass in the Time of Pandemic” to plead for God’s mercy and gift of strength in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
Why must churches close and other coronavirus questions answered April 1, 2020By Archdiocese of Baltimore Filed Under: Coronavirus, Feature, Local News, News The Archdiocese of Baltimore provides this list to answer some of the common questions regarding the coronavirus pandemic.
Archbishop Blair advises cellphones cannot be used to administer sacraments April 1, 2020By Catholic News Service Filed Under: Coronavirus, News, World News Administering the sacrament of reconciliation via cellphone is impermissible under church teaching, said the chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Divine Worship.
Grief and loss in the time of COVID-19 April 1, 2020By Father Lawrence Johnson Filed Under: Commentary, Coronavirus, Guest Commentary Grief is an unwelcome but inevitable presence in our lives. And we will live through it.
No one is invincible: An unlikely coronavirus victim shares her story of struggle and survival April 1, 2020By Robyn Barberry Filed Under: Blog, Coronavirus, Unconditional So many Americans believe that only the elderly and the immunocompromised are capable of contracting and becoming gravely ill from Covid-19. I, too, believed I was invincible until I saw a social media post written by a high school classmate, Tiffany Vega-Gibson.
Hospital CEO conducts virtual meeting with Baltimore priests on coronavirus March 31, 2020By George P. Matysek Jr. Filed Under: Coronavirus, Feature, Local News, News Speaking to more than 50 priests of the Archdiocese of Baltimore during a March 31 online presentation, Smyth pointed out that most COVID-19 patients exhibit no symptoms in the first two to five days after they are infected. That’s when the risk of spreading the virus is greatest, he said.
Priest who died from virus called ‘great missionary among us’ March 31, 2020By Catholic News Service Filed Under: Coronavirus, News, World News Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio of Brooklyn March 28 announced the death of Father Jorge Ortiz-Garay, 49, who died the evening before from COVID-19.
As people are ordered to stay home, pope calls for help for homeless March 31, 2020By Carol Glatz Filed Under: Coronavirus, Feature, News, World News As national and local governments have been issuing stay-at-home or shelter-in-place orders to curb the spread of the coronavirus, Pope Francis asked people to pray for and assist those who are homeless.