News
Vatican answers questions on limits regarding pre-Vatican II Mass
In a Dec. 18 document, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments affirmed Pope Francis' July 2021 apostolic letter restricting permission to celebrate the older form of the liturgy.
Catholic school student takes national award for Christmas drawing
Benjamin Robbins, a freshman at St. John Paul II High School, created a vibrant -- and winning -- image of the angel Gabriel for an annual contest sponsored by the Missionary Childhood Association.
Retired priest’s owl collection leads to children’s book series
“Izzy the Christmas Owl” is one of Father Alexander Masluk's books, plus a daily series of video posts on Facebook, that the retired-yet-busy archdiocesan priest is using to evangelize creatively through stories, as Jesus did.
Catholic ministries, schools ‘meet kids where they are’ amid mental health crisis
A national call to address depression and anxiety in teens shows there’s plenty of reason for concern – and for hope, say archdiocesan experts and Catholic school educators.
Human rights groups raise alarm over new atrocities in Western Tigray
International observers warned of mass detentions, killings and forced expulsions of ethnic Tigrayans in Ethiopia, as Catholic Church leaders expressed concerns over the detention of priests, nuns and lay Catholics.
Many women fear their voices will be ignored in synod, speakers say
The synod process, which promotes what Pope Francis calls a "synodal church," is calling for change and change can bring fear, said a religious sister and official with the Synod of Bishops during the "Women in Synodality" conference.
Catholic ministry to sailors also idling at Port of Los Angeles
Stella Maris Chapel at one of the world's busiest ports no longer serves dozens of maritime crews from cruise ships and awaiting freighters. Sailors remain on board due to the COVID pandemic and amidst the worldwide supply-chain backup.
New Pew study shows erosion of religion in America
While the survey comparing religious identity since 2007 showed the number of Catholics as a percentage of the U.S. population holding steady, Protestants dropped, "nones" rose and the practice of daily prayer declined.
Decline in vocations is a call to be humble, pope tells Jesuits
The decrease of vocations to religious life, including in the Society of Jesus, is a lesson in "beautiful humiliation" and a reminder that a calling to religious life depends on God, Pope Francis told Jesuits in Greece.
Catholic groups challenge mandate on gender transition procedures
Several Catholic hospitals, a Catholic university and Mercy sisters who run health clinics filed suit in a federal appeals court to a requirement under the Affordable Care Act for performing gender transition procedures, and for insurance to cover them.