National News
Catholic officials report on health of schools, outline steps for growth
The health of the nation's Catholic schools is mixed, their leaders announced March 29, noting that they served nearly 24,000 fewer students than last year although 14 new schools opened across the country.
Veterans find hope at addiction treatment facility with Catholic roots
Though the facility is no longer operated by friars, its Catholic roots are deep and the independently run treatment center has carried on the tradition of providing more than $300,000 in charity care annually.
Easter message of hope ‘a gift to carry forth,’ Obama says
Speaking to religious leaders, the president said hope is important in a world "where we have seen horrific acts of terrorism" take the lives of "innocent families, mostly women and children, Christians and Muslims."
Pro-life advocates oppose new FDA guidelines for RU-486 use
The new rules allow a woman to use the abortion-inducing drug -- known generically as mifepristone and by its brand name Mifeprex -- later into pregnancy and with fewer visits to a doctor.
Catholic’s ministry is to spread the Divine Mercy’s message of salvation
"I'd found a place where I could go that gave me tremendous compassion and comfort in my loss: the merciful heart of Jesus," said Susan Pawlukiewicz.
A sister in North Dakota serves people in times of transition and crisis
In 2013, she founded Ministry on the Margins, a group to assist those who fall through the cracks during times of crisis -- those recently released from prison, struggling with addiction, in between jobs or facing a medical emergency.
Oscar- and Emmy-winning actress Patty Duke dies at 69
"It is with great warmth and love that I acknowledge the symbolism and the pageantry of my childhood Catholic experience," she told Catholic News Service in a 1995 interview.
Galveston-Houston welcomes one of largest groups of new Catholics in U.S.
The 2,240 candidates and catechumens received into the Catholic Church in the Houston area is thought to be the highest for any U.S. diocese.
Georgia governor vows to veto religious freedom bill
A state bill designed to protect clergy who do not want to perform same-sex marriages faced opposition from numerous corporations who said it would allow discrimination of gay people by faith organizations.
Supreme Court seeks details on contraceptive ‘work-around’
In the case of the Affordable Care Act's contraceptive mandate, the high court wants evidence of how contraceptive insurance coverage could be obtained by employees without involving the religious employers objecting to it.