The Catholic Sun

The U.S. bishops' focus on the significance of the Eucharist in the life of the church isn't just about on the statement they approved at their fall meeting.

The chairman of the U.S. bishops' Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth called on his fellow bishops Nov. 17 to work "in every way possible" to implement the national pastoral framework for marriage and family ministry that they approved in June.

Philadelphia Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez invited fellow bishops to a national gathering in Chicago in June to participate with young Catholics in a dialogue about issues of culture, racism and inclusion through the prism of faith.

The U.S. bishops agreed Nov. 17 that the sainthood causes for three laypeople from the United States should be advanced by their respective dioceses.

The U.S. bishops approved their statement on the Eucharist with 222 "yes" votes Nov. 17, the second of two days of public sessions during their Nov. 15-18 fall general assembly.

The Gospel leads Catholics to work for justice and peace and the protection of the environment, but the challenges are so great that work with members of other religions and people of goodwill are essential, Pope Francis said.

During this time marked by global crisis, St. Joseph can offer people support, consolation and guidance, Pope Francis said.

Coming together for the first time in two years has been good for the bishops of the United States, in the judgment of Los Angeles Archbishop José H. Gomez, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The U.S. bishops spotlighted two major initiatives focused on the central role of the Eucharist Nov. 17, the second of two days of public sessions of their fall general assembly.

Archbishop Christophe Pierre, the apostolic nuncio to the United States, spoke to the U.S. bishops Nov. 16 about the importance of listening to people in the church and being open to the work of the Holy Spirit.