Woman’s suicide called tragedy, symbol of ‘culture of death’ in U.S.
Brittany Maynard, a young California woman who was suffering from terminal brain cancer and gained national attention for her plan to use Oregon's assisted suicide law, ended her life Nov. 1. She was 29 years old.
Cardinal says mergers tough to take, but address shifts in population
In a long-awaited but nonetheless stunning announcement, the Archdiocese of New York said Nov. 2 it would merge 112 of its 368 parishes into 55, effectively shuttering at least 31 churches by Aug. 1, 2015.
Praying for the dead, pope asks special prayers for victims of war
The early November feasts of All Saints and All Souls call Catholics to contemplate their ultimate destiny, hope in the eternal happiness of their beloved dead and remember the thousands of innocent people dying each day because of human evil and selfishness.
Praise God, proclaim salvation, pray for the persecuted, pope says
Prayer and mission are the very breath of the Christian life, Pope Francis said.
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.
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.
