Kurt Jensen

Our Sunday Visitor is a Catholic publisher serving millions of Catholics globally through its publishing and communication services. Kurt Jensen writes for OSV News from Washington.

Looking for Lenten retreats? Here’s a sampling of what’s online or in-person

February 25, 2023
By Kurt Jensen
OSV News Filed Under: Feature, Lent, News, World News

Personal reflections are always an option for American Catholics on Ash Wednesday and beyond, but there are a wide range of experiences for those who want to participate in a group setting, including parish-level events and European travel. And virtual worship, so essential during the pandemic, is still making strides, even though Zoom events seem an awkward memory of a bad time.

At U.S. House hearing, pope urged to speak out ‘strongly’ about Nicaragua

December 16, 2022
By Kurt Jensen
Catholic News Service Filed Under: News, U.S. Congress, Vatican, World News

Bianca Jagger, a native of Nicaragua who heads her own human rights commission, said she had pleaded with the pope to condemn the regime of Daniel Ortega, Nicaragua’s president since 2007, and also has appealed to Cardinal Leopoldo Brenes of Managua and to the country’s conference of bishops.

Speakers outline medical, societal trends threatening Catholic health care

November 19, 2022
By Kurt Jensen
Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, Health Care, News, Respect Life, World News

The inaugural Symposium for the Advancement of Catholic Health Care on Nov. 12 didn’t try to advance policy proposals, but it had a single message: Keep fighting.

Priest from Buffalo is on slow path to sainthood

October 28, 2022
By Kurt Jensen
Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Saints, World News

Father Nelson Baker, who served at St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Buffalo after his ordination in 1876, was beloved in his lifetime for his charitable efforts for the poor, including serving thousands of meals during the depths of the Great Depression.

‘Walking with Moms in Need’ helps expectant, new moms ‘where they’re at’

October 18, 2022
By Kurt Jensen
Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Respect Life, World News

Dioceses and parish volunteers who have embraced the “Walking with Moms in Need” initiative are still in the early stages of assessing its effectiveness.

With Roe overturned, march will focus on Congress, laws to end abortion

October 13, 2022
By Kurt Jensen
Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Respect Life, U.S. Congress, World News

The national March for Life in Washington will continue even with the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, its 1973 ruling that found a right to abortion in the U.S. Constitution and legalized it nationwide.

Annual conference puts emphasis on values, ways to renew Catholic education

July 15, 2022
By Kurt Jensen
Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Schools, World News

About 350 attended the Institute for Catholic Liberal Education’s annual conference July 11-14 at The Catholic University of America in Washington. Participants represented 88 schools and organizations and 45 dioceses. Sullivan called the mood “incredibly hopeful and joyful.”

Former assistant fire chief aims to create ‘sense of hope’ in 9/11 memoir

July 15, 2022
By Kurt Jensen
Catholic News Service Filed Under: Books, Feature, News, World News

Joseph W. Pfeifer’s book, “Ordinary Heroes: A Memoir of 9/11” (Penguin Random House), published last year, won a Christopher Award in June. The awards, first presented in 1949 by the Christophers organization, founded in 1945 by Maryknoll Father James Keller, are presented annually for works that embody “the highest values of humanity.”

Young adult Catholics discuss need to promote climate change efforts

April 29, 2022
By Kurt Jensen
Catholic News Service Filed Under: Environment, Feature, News, World News

Catholic leadership should not neglect climate change in favor of social issues including abortion, a Georgetown University panel concluded April 27 in an online discussion about how to apply Pope Francis’ 2015 encyclical “Laudato Si’, on Care for Our Common Home.”

Knights’ councils in Ukraine, Poland help those fleeing Russian assault

March 9, 2022
By Kurt Jensen
Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, Knights of Columbus, News, War in Ukraine, World News

The Knights of Columbus established a small presence in both Ukraine and Poland a few years ago, but now Knights councils in both countries have sprung into coordinated action with help for refugees since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began Feb. 24.

Biden urges a return to political civility in remarks at prayer breakfast

February 3, 2022
By Kurt Jensen
Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, World News

President Joe Biden, addressing the National Prayer Breakfast Feb. 3, called for a return to the political civility he said he’d known as a freshman U.S. senator from Delaware.

Annual March for Life still on this year in Washington

January 7, 2022
By Kurt Jensen
Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Respect Life, World News

The 49th annual national March for Life — with a rally on the National Mall and march to the Supreme Court Jan. 21 — will go on as scheduled this year amid a surge in the omicron variant in the nation’s capital.