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Self-absorption is root of evils within church, future pope said
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Evils within the church are caused by a self-centeredness and "theological narcissism" that forget to share Christ with people outside of the church, Pope Francis said in the days before his election. "When the church is self-referential, inadvertently, she believes she has her own light," he said in a summary of a speech he gave to the College of Cardinals before the start of the conclave that ended in his election.
Holy Week is time to follow Jesus in search of lost sheep, pope says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Holy Week is a time to follow Jesus out of one’s parish or group and out of one’s comfort zone to go with him in search of the lost sheep, Pope Francis said. “There is such a great need to bring (people) the living presence of Jesus, who is merciful and […]
Young woman’s disability makes her perfect volunteer to cheer the elderly
Residents are happy when Alexa Bucci, a volunteer at South Philadelphia’s St. Monica Manor, stops in to see them. She’s warm and friendly, always there with a smile and always wanting to do something for them. “I love it there; when you go in if you are in a bad mood they pick you up,” Alexa said. “I usually just talk to them or help them with their meals. The patients light up when they see me, because they like to be around people, and they tell me everything. I don’t feel like I have something wrong with me when I’m with them.”
Noted biographer Doris Kearns Goodwin sheds light on Lincoln at La Salle event
On the surface it would seem odd. A university celebrates its 150th anniversary by bringing in a Pulitzer Prize-winning Harvard PhD. to lecture on a man who by his own estimate had less than a total of 12 months formal education in backwoods schoolhouses. The university was La Salle University, the lecturer on March 21 was historian Doris Kearns Goodwin and the subject was Abraham Lincoln, generally considered America’s greatest president.
Pope Francis to live in Vatican guesthouse, not papal apartments
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis has decided not to move into the papal apartments in the Apostolic Palace, but to live in a suite in the Vatican guesthouse where he has been since the beginning of the conclave that elected him. A typical suite in the residence has a sitting room with a desk; a bedroom with dresser; and a private bathroom.
Persons with disabilities called ‘a chosen race’ at annual Mass in Cathedral
It’s an honor for an altar server to hold the book for the archbishop during a special liturgy. The young man who held the Missal during the liturgy for Archbishop Charles Chaput during the Mass for Persons with Disabilities at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul on March 23 truly felt the honor. “He kept saying ‘Alleluia, Alleluia,’” the archbishop noted in his homily. “You are not supposed to say Alleluia during the six weeks of Lent.” But in this case it was very appropriate, he suggested.
Vatican confirms pope to lead full slate of Holy Week, Easter liturgies
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The Vatican confirmed Pope Francis will lead a full slate of Holy Week and Easter liturgies in Rome and at the Vatican, keeping pace with a usually busy papal schedule. The pontiff will celebrate the Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord's Supper in a Rome juvenile detention facility rather than in St. Peter's Basilica.
North Dakota lawmakers OK bill defining life starts at conception
BISMARCK, N.D. (CNS) -- The North Dakota Catholic Conference applauded the state Senate's passage March 15 of a bill that would ban abortions for the purpose of sex selection or genetic abnormality and another bill that would ban abortion after the detection of a fetal heartbeat, which could be as early as six weeks.
Sister Mary Elaine Joyce, I.H.M.
Sister Mary Elaine Joyce, I.H.M., formerly Sister Bernard Mary, I.H.M., died suddenly March 9 in Camilla Hall, Immaculata, in the 68th year of her religious life. She was 86 years old. Born in Kulpmont, Pa., Sister Mary Elaine entered the congregation of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in 1944 from St. Joseph Parish, Locust […]
From Mount of Olives to Jerusalem, world’s Christians mark Jesus’ entry
JERUSALEM (CNS) -- The winding road from the Mount of Olives to the streets of the Old City of Jerusalem was alive with music and song in many languages as global pilgrims joined local Christian Palestinians in the traditional Palm Sunday procession commemorating Jesus' entry into the city.