Even the Holy Family felt stress, pope tells families December 26, 2021By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News The COVID-19 pandemic has been tough on families, but with extra patience and faith, bonds can grow stronger, Pope Francis wrote in a letter released on the feast of the Holy Family.
Pope prays Christmas will bring yearning for peace, dialogue December 26, 2021By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News Before giving his Christmas blessing to the city of Rome and to the world, Pope Francis drew attention to the many places around the globe and within human hearts in need of Jesus, the prince of peace.
Pope at Christmas: ‘God comes into the world in littleness’ December 26, 2021By Junno Arocho Esteves Catholic News Service Filed Under: Christmas, Feature, News, Vatican, World News The celebration of Christmas serves as a reminder that God did not reveal his greatness in a grand spectacle, but rather in the “littleness” of a poor, vulnerable child born in a stable in Bethlehem, Pope Francis said.
How can we be peacemakers in a divided world? December 24, 2021By George P. Matysek Jr. Catholic Review Filed Under: Baltimore Basilica, Christmas, Feature, Local News, News, Western Vicariate In this Christmas season, Christians are often reminded that Christ is the “Prince of Peace” foretold by the prophet Isaiah. We sing songs of peace on earth and good will toward all. But what does it mean to be a peacemaker? What are practical ways to heal the divide?
The sacred earthiness of Christmas December 24, 2021By George Weigel Syndicated Columnist Filed Under: Christmas, Commentary, Feature, The Catholic Difference “Besides the cradle in which our Lord, it is alleged, was rocked, is the stone manger of the grotto of Bethlehem. One of the stones of this manger is shown in the basilica of St. Maria Maggiore on the Esquiline, in the altar of the crypt of the chapel of the Blessed Sacrament.
This year Catholics have a dual Mass obligation the weekend of Dec. 25-26 December 23, 2021By Catholic News Service Catholic News Service Filed Under: Christmas, Feature, News, World News If you go to Christmas Mass on Saturday, do you still have to go to Sunday Mass the next day? Is Jan. 1, the solemnity of Mary, a holy day of obligation this year?
September 2022 date set for beatification of John Paul I December 23, 2021By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News Pope Francis will beatify Pope John Paul I Sept. 4, 2022, at the Vatican, according to Stefania Falasca, a journalist and vice postulator of the late pope’s sainthood cause.
Franciscan Center brings Christmas cheer to Baltimore with events December 23, 2021By Priscila González de Doran Filed Under: Feature, Local News While the pandemic makes winter even harder for those who live in poverty, Baltimore families and individuals find refuge in the Franciscan Center during Christmas time.
COVID-19 vaccines present ‘no ethical problem,’ says head of papal academy December 23, 2021By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service Filed Under: Coronavirus, Feature, News, World News The Vatican has reaffirmed its support of COVID-19 vaccines with both the head of the Pontifical Academy for Life and a Holy See communique reiterating Pope Francis’ insistence that getting inoculated is “an act of love.”
Tornado victims ask for prayers — and ‘don’t forget about us in a month’ December 23, 2021By Catholic News Service Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, World News “I’ve never seen anything like this in my life,” Lesley Mills told The Western Kentucky Catholic, newspaper of the Owensboro Diocese, in an interview Dec. 15.
Bishops’ migration chairman says inaction on immigration ‘cannot stand’ December 23, 2021By Rhina Guidos Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, Immigration and Migration, News, World News The lack of will by politicians to move forward on immigration reform is affecting the lives of 11 million people in the country and something must be done, said the head of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ migration committee.
Couple: Young Catholic adults need community, parish outreach December 23, 2021By Catholic News Service Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, Marriage & Family Life, Parishes “I realized that I have gifts to be shared,” explained Patrick, 24. “But realistically I can only touch 30 people at a time. So, I must invest the time to teach those 30 to reach out to others. Find people who want to evangelize, teach them how to do it better and empower them — give them the tools — necessary to do it.”
