National News
Immigration changes will take months, at least, to take effect
It will be several months, at least, before anyone can apply to take advantage of immigration policy changes announced by President Barack Obama Nov. 20.
Obama immigration plan largely welcomed; critics challenge its legality
President Barack Obama's package of actions affecting millions of people without legal immigration status received support from Catholic organizations, labor unions and immigration advocates even as critics contended that the steps he announced violated the Constitution.
Heavy snow moves Buffalo bishop to make Mass optional
Catholics in communities of western New York socked by up to seven feet of snow will not have to attend Mass the weekend of Nov. 22-23. Bishop Richard J. Malone of Buffalo granted dispensation from the Sunday Mass obligation.
Millions could benefit from Obama’s new immigration policies
In a new plan announced last night, the president called for reprioritizing who the government will target for deportation. About 40 percent of the 11 million undocumented people in the U.S. could be temporarily protected from deportation to their home countries.
St. Louis Catholic schools prepare for Ferguson grand jury verdict
While the timing of the grand jury decision involving the Michael Brown shooting remained uncertain, Catholic schools in the Ferguson area were already prepared in case the ruling comes down with classes in session.
Mixing faith, social time a needed respite for Ferguson community
Earlier this year, Jeanne Baer, a pastoral associate at Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, and members of the Ferguson parish's Engaged Church Committee had been brainstorming ideas to help engage the Catholic community beyond church walls. And then Ferguson happened.
Crowdfunding campaign underway for Couple to Couple League book project
The Couple to Couple League, a national natural family planning education organization based in Cincinnati, launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise money to publish and market a marriage formation resource book.
As Obama unveils immigration plan, needs of some families go unmet
Among those who cannot take advantage of a new program will be tens of thousands of families and unaccompanied minors apprehended at the U.S. border. See highlights of a meeting with the administration and Central American officials.
Rally with Thanksgiving theme last-minute plea for immigration order
A table spread with the components of Thanksgiving dinner, with the White House as a backdrop, set the scene Nov. 19 for what will turn out to be a last-minute pitch to the president to protect some of the nation's 11 million immigrants who are in the country illegally.
Pastoral care of the dying a ‘ministry of presence’ as end draws near
The sacrament of the anointing of the sick is just one way priests and chaplains can minister to the dying and their families.