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BEIRUT (CNS) — Catholic patriarchs from the Middle East invoked hope in their Easter messages to people suffering from terrorism, wars, displacement and economic hardship.

Opening a two-week Synod of Bishops on the family, Pope Francis warned participants against the temptations of hypocrisy, pride and greed, urging them instead to serve the church with "freedom, creativity and hard work."

Lenten sacrifices aim to bring you closer to God, "something that helps lessen all the distraction and noise. And certainly social media is a lot of distractions and noise," a Maryland priest said.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Cardinal Bernard F. Law, who had been one of the United States’ most powerful and respected bishops until his legacy was blemished by the devastating sexual abuse of minors by priests in his Archdiocese of Boston, died early Dec. 20 in Rome at the age of 86.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and The Catholic Sun is highlighting how Catholic churches and schools are increasing efforts to care for its flock mind, body and soul.

Serving as a catechist is not just a job you do, it’s an expression of private and public faith. They, alongside parents, serve as models for thousands of children in faith formation programs.

Beatifying Blessed Paul VI at the concluding Mass of the Synod of Bishops on the family, Pope Francis praised the late pope as the "great helmsman" of the Second Vatican Council and founder of the synod, as well as a "humble and prophetic witness of love for Christ and his church."

One of the 25 Mexican martyrs canonized by Pope St. John Paul II in 2000, St. Pedro Maldonado was ordained in the United States.

My mother and father’s 73-year marriage came full circle several weeks ago as Mom and the rest of our family lovingly ushered my father to the goal of their union from the beginning: the merciful encounter with our heavenly Father when this earthly life is done. The little church where we celebrated the funeral Mass was filled to overflowing with those touched by the truth, goodness and beauty of my parents’ deeply loving and fruitful, even if not perfect, union.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis “is a father who knows very well his daughters and sons,” including those who belong to the Eastern Catholic Churches, said the Armenian Catholic bishop of the United States and Canada.