Mary’s assumption shows life’s aim is to be with God, pope says
"The 'great things' the Almighty has done for her touch us deeply, speak of our journey through life and remind us of the destination that awaits us: the house of the Father," Pope Francis said.
After monthlong strike, Christian schools open in Israel
There are 47 Christian schools in Israel with a total of 33,000 students who are returning to class now that an agreement on equality in budgeting has been reached.
Flint crisis underlines need to reach out to urban centers, says priest
The ongoing water crisis in Flint, Michigan, is a reminder for Catholics in suburban parishes of their responsibility to reach out to people in need in urban centers, a pastor said.
Court orders review of Notre Dame’s case on contraceptive mandate
The Supreme Court March 9 ordered the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to reconsider its previous ruling and review -- in light of the June Hobby Lobby decision -- whether the University of Notre Dame must pay for coverage of contraceptives in employee and student health insurance plans.
Marking feast day, pope asks Mary’s care of families seeking refuge
ROME (CNS) — In the heart of Rome, near streets of fancy shops already blinged out for Christmas shopping, Pope Francis prayed for Romans struggling to survive and for families in the city and around the world who face the same lack of welcome that Mary and Joseph experienced.
Pope says a ‘good Easter’ requires making Jesus’ passion one’s own
Christians must "enter into the mystery" of the Easter Triduum and make Jesus' feelings and attitudes their own, Pope Francis said.
Churches mum, but activists express hopes, concerns after Canadian elections
OTTAWA, Ontario (CNS) — They have written electoral guides, identified national issues, and invited Canadians to vote in the Oct. 19 federal elections, but one day after voters swept Justin Trudeau’s Liberal Party to a majority government, most Canadian churches had no official reaction.
In New York service, pope offers encouragement to men, women religious
NEW YORK (CNS) — During an Evening Prayer service at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York, Pope Francis thanked the nation’s priests, brothers and women religious for their service and gave particular thanks to women religious saying, “Where would the Church be without you?”
Pandemic showed just how much people need each other, pope says
During the darkest, most deadly days of the COVID-19 pandemic in northern Italy, medical professionals and volunteers were "silent artisans of a culture of closeness and tenderness," a culture that cannot be allowed to disappear, Pope Francis said.
Families need prayers, mercy, courage, including from synod, pope says
Pope Francis acknowledged the suffering and hope of young people who do not experience happiness and love at home, the "many women, sad and lonely," who wonder how their love "slipped away," and the elderly who feel cast aside.
