Stories, tears flow freely for descendants of slaves Jesuits owned, sold

NEW ORLEANS (CNS) — Inside the parish hall of St. Gabriel the Archangel Church in New Orleans, the personal stories flowed as freely as the tears.

Cardinal Law, whose legacy was marred by sex abuse scandal, dies

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.

Press must be factual, free from manipulation, pope says

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — People need factual and trustworthy news that avoids sensationalism and whipping up heated reactions, Pope Francis said.

Pope puts founder of Rosary Crusade one step closer toward sainthood

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis advanced the sainthood causes of Holy Cross Father Patrick Peyton and St. John Paul II’s mentor, Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski.

As pope turns 81, kids entertain with song, dance and 13-foot pizza

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Celebrating his 81st birthday, Pope Francis blew out the candles on a 13-foot long pizza after being serenaded with song and dance by children and employees from a Vatican pediatric clinic.

Pope: Coldest hearts can be warmed by Christmas cheer

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Christmas joy expressed through music brings a message of peace and brotherhood for those most in need, Pope Francis said.

Charitable giving options abound with year-end perks

Among the 30-some tax credits available in the State of Arizona, Catholics should take note of a trio: tuition, charitable and foster care organizations.

Third week of Advent calls us to rejoice

Beginning Dec. 17, individuals and families might consider adding the “O Antiphons” into regular prayer time.

No dispensation for this year’s Christmas Mass on Monday

The big challenge for parishes this year will be decorating for Christmas liturgies, especially parishes with afternoon Masses on Sunday that will only have a few hours to "turn the church over from Advent to Christmas."

Chile’s women prisoners hope pope highlights realities of their lives

SANTIAGO, Chile (CNS) — For Estefania, an inmate at San Joaquin women’s prison, the hardest part of being jailed is not being able to live with her son.