News
How will U.S. policy affect Middle East’s Christians in 2017?
Given the interest in, and media coverage of, other issues, it's an open question as to just what the United States would do for the Middle East's Christian minorities under the presidential administration of Donald J. Trump.
Aleppo friar says learn about Syria, keep an open mind
Syrians don't want to leave their homeland, they want a safe place to live in peace, said a Franciscan friar from Aleppo, Syria, who spoke on Jan. 5 with the Archdiocese of Washington's Holy Land Committee.
Newly appointed pastor, 52, dies suddenly on New Year’s Eve
Father John C. Crowley became pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Oxford, only two months ago. He told his new parishioners he looked forward "to many rewarding experiences and wonderful years" with them. His funeral is Jan. 9.
Young woman makes music as ‘a way that I please God’
The three highest priorities for Angela Alquiros, 16, are God, family and music, and she is happy to combine all three as an accomplished pianist, choir member and soloist at Epiphany of Our Lord Parish, Plymouth Meeting.
U.S. bishops say that prayer, local dialogue key to bringing peace
The work to "root out racism and create healthy dynamics in our neighborhoods" is a long-term project, but the scope of it should not cause fear or intimidation, wrote Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory of Atlanta, chairman of the Task Force to Promote Peace in Our Communities.
‘Secure the border, welcome the stranger,’ bishops urge in statement
Inviting Americans to look at their families for stories of immigration, the leaders of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops called attention to the hardships and contributions of immigrants and urged "a humane immigration policy."
Magi’s journey reflects our longing for God, pope says on Epiphany
The Magi had the courage to set out on a journey in the hope of finding something new, unlike Herod who was full of himself and unwilling to change his ways, Pope Francis said.
Infant safe after being found abandoned at Minnesota cathedral
Nathan Leonhardt, a custodian at the cathedral, discovered the child Jan. 4 as he was locking the building about 6 p.m. following evening Mass. The baby was left in a plastic laundry basket between the exterior and interior doors of a church entrance.
Pope: Vocations require prayers, open doors, big hearts, busy hands
While God is the one calling people to a vocation, clergy and religious have to cooperate by being inspirational role models, keeping their doors open and giving restless young people constructive things to do, Pope Francis said.
Maternity leave: Why the pope wants the church to be a loving mother
A number of feast days over the Advent and Christmas seasons gave Pope Francis a fresh opportunity to pay homage to the world's mothers and insist further on how and why he wants the entire church to become more maternal.