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The wind whipped our faces and a steady rain fell as we stood aboard the simple fishing boat that had set sail on the Sea of Galilee.

WASHINGTON (CNS) — The U.S. bishops will start 2019 with a spiritual retreat to pray and reflect on the important matters facing the Catholic Church.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Every heart longs for unconditional love and fidelity, Pope Francis said.

Anthony Claret was born in Spain in 1807 and like his father, he was a weaver by trade. In his spare time, he studied Latin, and at the age of 22, he entered the seminary, and was ordained in 1835. He became a Jesuit novice in Rome, but failing health prompted his return to Spain.

What makes it even more special is the connection they found between their belated pastor who helped coordinate the encounter and the pontiff himself.

Six men from throughout the diocese are spending their final days as laypeople. Beginning with their Nov. 3 ordination at Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral, they will forever be known as “deacon.”

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — While the clerical sexual abuse crisis did not dominate discussions at the Synod of Bishops, Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston said it was discussed, and everyone in the room clearly believed the crisis has to be dealt with.

Nancy Rossiello recalls her days as a girl in San Giovanni Rotundo, the small southern Italian town and home to the monastery where St. Pio of Pietrelcina, OFM Cap., served God.

When Pope St. John Paul II died, crowds in St. Peter’s Square chanted “santo subito (sainthood now).”

NEW YORK (CNS) — “Gosnell: The Trial of America’s Biggest Serial Killer” (GVN) is a powerful dramatization of the Philadelphia police investigation and state prosecution that finally ended the infamous, decades-long career of abortionist Kermit Gosnell.