Official says Catholic cemeteries have ‘huge opportunity to evangelize’
RYE, N.Y. (CNS) — Beyond their traditional roles as predictably quiet and often-beautiful places, "cemeteries have a huge opportunity to evangelize and a responsibility to stand for what the church represents," said Andrew Schafer, executive director for Archdiocese of Newark Catholic Cemeteries in New Jersey.
People who come to a committal service in a cemetery may be encountering Catholic funeral tradition for the first time, or for the first time in many years.
Halloween happenings around the diocese
Catholics of all ages across the Diocese of Phoenix are celebrating Halloween — the eve of the feast of All Saints Day — and Día de los Muertos. Find out where to wear your costume and see how Catholic schools are marking the occasion.
Don’t be bad Christians, people may think atheism is better, pope says
The way Christians behave can either help and inspire others, or turn them away from ever following Jesus, Pope Francis said.
Pope: Evolution, Big Bang do not push aside God, who set it in motion
The Big Bang theory and evolution do not eliminate the existence of God, who remains the one who set all of creation into motion, Pope Francis told his own science academy.
R U texting in church? Put the phone down!
Entire families navigate their smartphones while sharing meals at restaurants. Students text in class. Parents take phone calls at their children's sporting events and plays. It's no surprise that cellphones affect even church.
Priest says taking ‘selfies,’ posting them a way to connect to students
"Some people think that if we're having fun, we're sinning. That's not the case. It's fun to be Catholic," Fr. Jason Blahnik explained prior to priesthood Sunday, which is celebrated nationwide Oct. 26. "There's a joy to it, living and loving people. It's a great life.
Couple trusts in God throughout cancer diagnosis, high-risk pregnancy
Keith and Donielle Wilde know what it means to live this every day: "Jesus, I trust in you."
Despite some medical complications, Donielle "is doing very well" — and the baby is developing normally.
Olive harvest at Garden of Gethsemane unites faithful with Christ
The opportunity to help a group of Franciscan priests harvest olives in the Garden of Gethsemane offers a sense of hope amid the adversaries one man's family has faced in their own olive groves.
Pope Francis calls for abolishing death penalty and life imprisonment
Pope Francis called for abolition of the death penalty as well as life imprisonment, and denounced what he called a "penal populism" that promises to solve society's problems by punishing crime instead of pursuing social justice.
First St. John Paul II feast day unites faithful in prayer, remembrance at St....
His leadership helped bring down the Soviet Union. He forgave the man who tried to kill him. He traveled the world and wrote 14 encyclicals. Throughout his 27-year papacy, St. John Paul inspired millions.
