Ukrainians seek blessing for rehab center; pope urges action for peace December 7, 2022By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, War in Ukraine, World News The mayor of Lviv, Ukraine, and a team of doctors treating those injured in the war gave Pope Francis a cross with an embedded piece of shrapnel removed from the body of a young girl.
True love leads to freedom, not possessiveness, pope says December 7, 2022By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News True love of God or love of another person should lead to a sense of freedom, not to a need to possess or control, Pope Francis said.
USPS ‘Virgin and Child’ stamp features one of world’s most revered images December 7, 2022By Catholic News Service Catholic News Service Filed Under: Christmas, Feature, News, World News Every two years the U.S. Postal Service issues a traditional first-class Christmas stamp showing Mary and Jesus, and this year’s stamp features an oil-on-panel painting from the first half of the 16th century titled “Virgin and Child.”
Pope approves new law strengthening oversight of Vatican-related entities December 6, 2022By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News Pope Francis has approved a new law strengthening the oversight of Vatican-related foundations and nonprofit organizations as well as detailing sanctions and clarifying existing norms on transparency, accountability and mandated compliance with anti-money laundering measures.
‘O Holy Night’ tops all hymns used in churches in December, according to poll December 6, 2022By Mark Pattison Catholic News Service Filed Under: Arts & Culture, Christmas, Feature, News, World News The Christmas carol “O Holy Night” ranked first in a list of hymns most played in December at Christian churches in the United States.
Supreme Court appears ready to support web designer in free speech case December 5, 2022By Carol Zimmermann Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Supreme Court, World News Colorado designer Lorie Smith, who runs a web design company called 303 Creative, has said she should not be required to create wedding websites for same-sex couples based on her Christian beliefs about marriage.
Pope supports Jewish-Catholic project for social justice December 5, 2022By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Ecumenism and Interfaith Relations, News, Vatican, World News Meeting with a delegation from the Latin American Rabbinical Seminary in Buenos Aires, Argentina, the pope supported their proposal to launch a series of educational programs aimed at helping Christians and Jews in Latin America tap into their common spiritual heritage to become “agents of social change.”
Advent is opportunity to get off pedestal of superiority, pope says December 5, 2022By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service Filed Under: Advent, News, Vatican, World News The season of Advent is a moment of grace to help believers stop being presumptuous and pretending to be self-sufficient, Pope Francis said.
Keep the creche in Christmas, pope urges December 5, 2022By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Advent, Christmas, Feature, News, Vatican, World News Stopping to gaze at and perhaps pray before a Nativity scene is one of the best ways to remember the real meaning of Christmas, Pope Francis said.
Being ‘inclusive’ of those with disabilities means valuing them, pope says December 5, 2022By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Disabilities Ministry, Feature, News, Vatican, World News Making churches accessible and services understandable is important, but having wheelchair ramps and sign-language interpreters is not enough for a parish to call itself “inclusive,” Pope Francis said.
First deaf priest in U.S. visits Minnesota parish, inspires Jesuit novice December 5, 2022By Barb Umberger Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, World News Parishioners at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Minneapolis, about half of whom are deaf, had the chance to attend Mass celebrated by the first deaf man ordained a Roman Catholic priest in the U.S., Father Tom Coughlin.
Pastor reflects on 10th anniversary of Sandy Hook school shooting December 5, 2022By Beth Griffin Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, Gun Violence, News, World News Reflecting on the horror and the events of the intervening years after the Sandy Hook school shootings, Msgr. Robert Weiss said: “Gratitude sustains me. I pray a lot and try to keep myself in the Lord’s hands.”
