News
Church of England report suggests celebrating same-sex relationships
LONDON (CNS) -- A working group for the Church of England recommended gay couples should be permitted to celebrate their relationships with public services in Anglican parishes.
With ‘ministry of presence,’ friars offer holiday shoppers hospitality
Time is running out, they say, to get great last-minute deals on this year's Tickle Me Elmo, ZhuZhu Pet or whatever fad gift the kids just have to have. One store, however, is taking a different approach this Advent season. The Franciscan Friars of the St. John the Baptist Province now occupy a store in the same corridor as Macy's at Cincinnati's Northgate Mall -- and they don't want your money.
Wall Street vs. Main Street: Pope’s words on economy stir controversy
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- In enunciating the principles of Catholic social teaching, popes have long stressed the church's special concern for the poor and the need for state intervention to promote economic justice.
Warminster parish hosts Advent program focusing on Mary
The Neumann Adult Spirituality Ministry at Nativity of Our Lord Parish in Warminster looks to Mary during Advent with a program to learn from her how to live an authentic experience of prayer.
St. Jerome CYO gives back to NE Philadelphia community
Children in grades three to eight collected canned goods for Aid For Friends, raked leaves at homes in the neighborhood and delivered flowers to shut-ins Nov. 23-24.
Teens make a Joyful Noise, drawing young people to parish church
A high school senior and member of Epiphany of Our Lord Parish in Plymouth Meeting did not see many people her age, or joyful people, at Mass. She thought the music was alien to her culture, so she started a group to change that. Now many are joining her and enlivening the parish. “Vibrant music is the key," said one young man. "Young people want to come here.”
Pope, cardinal council begin work on reorganizing Roman Curia
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis and the eight members of his international Council of Cardinals have begun their discussions on specific ways to reorganize the Roman Curia, looking first at the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments, the Vatican spokesman said.
Archbishop: HHS mandate aims to drive wedge between church’s faith, worship
NEW ALBANY, Ind. (CNS) -- Defending the religious rights of the Catholic Church against the government's contraceptive mandate is tied to the church's ministry to those in need, Baltimore Archbishop William Lori said Nov. 29. The church's worship life and its faith-driven ministries to the poor and others cannot be separated from one another, he said.
Iran nuclear deal lauded by key U.S. bishop
Some in Congress, wary of making a deal with Iran, have advocated increasing sanctions. Although current sanctions would remain in effect, Iran will get an estimated $6 billion in temporary sanctions relief for signing the interim agreement Nov. 24.
Pope Francis will help launch worldwide prayers against hunger
The global "wave of prayer," supported by a video from the pope, will begin at noon Dec. 10 on the South Pacific island of Samoa and head west across the world's time zones. Local churches will pray for an end to hunger and malnutrition as well as to act on a local, national or global level against food waste. Nearly 1 billion people -- or about one in eight people -- experienced chronic hunger or undernourishment during 2010-2012, according to the international Catholic organizer of the event.