NATION/WORLD

WASHINGTON (CNS) — Catholics in Oklahoma have been preparing for a long time for this moment. Many, like Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City, had faith it would come, but there’s still a sense of awe, to think that a farm boy, one of their own, is about to take a step toward official sainthood.

ORLANDO, Fla. (CNS) — As the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee’s sixth bishop lay prostrate on the floor of the Pensacola Bay Center, one thing in particular distinguished the episcopal candidate.

WASHINGTON (CNS) — Catholic dioceses and charities are quickly organizing to help in the aftermath of a Category 4 hurricane that made landfall with heavy rains and winds of 130 miles per hour late Aug. 25 into the Rockport, Texas area, northeast of Corpus Christi.

"I was happy that the bishops responded so quickly, and that many people across our country responded so quickly to say: 'This is not who we are. This is not America.'"

"God puts on the best shows!" one woman called out during the latest solar eclipse. The last time the Oregon church was in an eclipse path of totality was in 1918.

Bishop-elect Bill Wack, a one-time director of André House serving Maricopa County's Human Services Campus, will be ordained and installed a bishop for Pensacola-Tallahassee Aug. 22.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — In a week in which natural disasters, war and racial conflicts dominated the headlines, Pope Francis prayed that Mary would bring peace to a divided world.

HAGATNA, Guam (CNS) — The Catholic Church on Guam is urging its members and all people on the island to be prayerful and stay centered in Christ amid threats of missile attacks by North Korea.

A single kneeler, commemorative statue, church balcony and plaque remain among the publicly tangible reminders of the saint who traipsed the Valley during a daylong visit 30 years ago.

"I've met so many who have fallen away from the church," Dougherty said. "What's encouraged me on this trip is the curiosity of our Protestant brothers and sisters.