Commoditization of funeral industry is hurting Catholic Church February 21, 2024By Michael R. Heinlein OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Worship & Sacraments With fewer wakes, and with fewer clergy attending them, aren’t we missing out on a vital pastoral dimension of funerals?
Oregon bishop bars blessings for same-sex couples in diocese to prevent confusion, scandal February 20, 2024By Lauretta Brown OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, World News, Worship & Sacraments On Feb. 9, Bishop Liam S. Cary of Baker, Ore., said he has asked the priests of his diocese “not to bless known co-habiting couples, of the same sex or both sexes” because he does not believe that blessings for couples in such situations could be carried out in a “scandal-free” manner in his diocese.
Don’t wait too long to baptize your baby February 20, 2024By Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Worship & Sacraments While I hardly propose returning to the two-to-three-week expectation — as laudable as I consider that — I do wonder if we are now waiting way too long to baptize our babies.
Mass of reparation offered at St. Patrick’s Cathedral after ‘scandalous’ funeral, rector says February 19, 2024By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, World News, Worship & Sacraments Two days after St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City was filled with mourners for an irreverent “homecoming” funeral for a prominent activist who identified as transgender, the cathedral’s rector acknowledged that many people “have let us know they share our outrage over the scandalous behavior” that took place at the service.
‘Baptism in a day’ welcomes unbaptized children into the faith February 12, 2024By George P. Matysek Jr. Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Worship & Sacraments Designed to make families feel welcome that had not had their children baptized for varying reasons, the baptism-in-a-day event included sacramental preparation, lunch, an invitation to become involved in parish life at the cathedral and the conferral of baptism during the 5 p.m. Mass – all within a four-hour period.
Changing words in sacraments can make them invalid, dicastery warns February 5, 2024By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News, Worship & Sacraments When a priest or other minister changes the words, gestures or material prescribed for the celebration of the sacraments, he can “rob” the faithful of what they deserve and make the sacrament invalid, the dicastery said in a note published Feb. 3.
Minding Mass: Catholics need better liturgical formation, expert says January 31, 2024By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service Filed Under: Books, Feature, News, World News, Worship & Sacraments Catholics need to know what their words and gestures at Mass signify and evoke, a liturgical expert said.
Capitol Latin Mass violated Washington Archdiocese procedures, say Catholic officials January 29, 2024By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, World News, Worship & Sacraments A Latin Mass that took place at the U.S. Capitol in January was not authorized by the Washington Archdiocese, which has procedures in place for such requests, church officials told OSV News.
Boston Archdiocese to lower confirmation age to eighth grade January 25, 2024By Wes Cipolla OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, World News, Worship & Sacraments Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley has approved a proposal that would lower the age of confirmation within the Archdiocese of Boston from 10th grade to eighth grade.
Experts: Vatican declaration on blessings walks a fine line on marriage, pastoral care December 19, 2023By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, World News, Worship & Sacraments A new declaration from the Vatican on pastoral blessings does not change the Catholic Church’s teaching on marriage, Catholic experts told OSV News, but seeks to extend the church’s accompaniment to those in irregular situations.
Quirk of calendar requires two obligations for Masses at Christmas time December 4, 2023By Catholic Review Staff Catholic Review Filed Under: Christmas, Local News, News, Worship & Sacraments The Catholic faithful have an obligation to attend Mass twice between the afternoon of Dec. 23 and Dec. 25, to participate in Masses for the fourth Sunday of Advent, and for Christmas.
‘God dwells here’: Experts cite three keys to keep churches holy during secular use November 10, 2023By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, World News, Worship & Sacraments Canon law, communication and a “new mindfulness” of God’s presence can safeguard the sanctity of Catholic churches during occasional secular use, diocesan experts told OSV News.
