News
Think globally, act locally: Strategies emerge to help the poor help themselves
Participants at a social ministry gathering learned how Texas parishioners combated predatory "payday lending" by setting up their own credit union for poor people to bank safely. Also, a housecleaning co-op lets poor working mothers spend time with sick children.
Catholics take stand against ‘scourge’ of human trafficking
Up to 50,000 people are forced into slavery in the United States each year, 12.3 million globally. New programs include a U.S. government "dirty list" that identifies products produced by forced labor, by child labor, or both.
New Latin American presidents face challenges pope has highlighted
Protests in Latin American countries are sparked by glaring income inequality: Nearly half the region's income goes to the wealthiest 20 percent of the population, while the poorest 20 percent receive only 5 percent.
Prison chaplain sees focus on the personal as needed in healing
Sixteen years ago a lawyer's wife dared him to lecture at a prison. After she died he became a priest and today he still ministers to prisoners. He advocates for a shift in criminal justice from punishment to healing -- for victims, criminals and all of society.
Cardinal says pope wants to ‘stir things up,’ let people ask questions
BALTIMORE (CNS) -- U.S. Cardinal Edwin F. O'Brien doesn't know what will come out of the Synod on the Family set for October, but the former archbishop of Baltimore believes it will be significant.
People power: Popular devotion is key factor in sainthood process
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The sainthood process is long and technically complicated, and ultimately requires the approval of the pope, but the whole procedure is driven by Catholics in the pews and, especially, those on their knees.
Couples invited for Valentine’s Day evening of reflection
Malvern Retreat House is hosting a retreat for all married, engaged and dating couples Sunday evening, Feb. 9.
Lost firefighters from past and present to be honored at Mass
St. John the Evangelist Church in center city Philadelphia will host a memorial Mass honoring firefighters who died in the line of duty on Saturday, Feb. 15 at 10 a.m.
New Mexico bishop to visit Trooper parish
Bishop Ricardo Ramirez, C.S.B., bishop of the Diocese of Las Cruces, New Mexico, will be the celebrant at a Mass in English and Spanish at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 19, at Visitation B.V.M. Church in Trooper, Montgomery County. He will preach on the theme “Welcoming the Stranger.”
Separated and divorced Catholics get retreat day in Malvern
Valentine’s Day may be fun for those in a relationship but it is also a time of remembering broken promises, dreams and lives for many others. Malvern Retreat House offers a day of reflection for them on Feb. 12.

