Christians, Muslims join for Christmas Mass in liberated Mosul
MOSUL, Iraq (CNS) — Cries of joy and seasonal hymns once again filled St. Paul Cathedral in Mosul as Christmas Mass was celebrated there for the first time in four years, following the northern Iraqi city’s liberation from Islamic State militants.
Pope: Festivities become a facade when Christ is left out of Christmas
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Only when Christ is the focus of the Christmas season do all the colorful lights, carols, special meals and traditions help create a festive and joyous atmosphere, Pope Francis said.
Young Edmundite priests’ goal is to evangelize with their YouTube show
COLCHESTER, Vt. (CNS) — Fr. Lino Oropeza is a fan of technology. He worked in information technology in his native Venezuela before becoming a priest of the Society of St. Edmund, based at St. Michael’s College in Colchester.
Late Franciscan friar recalled as a ‘light shining in the darkness’
YONKERS, N.Y. (CNS) — At his funeral Mass Dec. 20, Fr. Andrew Apostoli, a co-founder of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, was remembered for living a life that reflected the gifts of the Holy Spirit — love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness and faithfulness.
Feast of St. Stephen, the first martyr, Dec. 26
Stephen, the namesake for “Stephen ministers” was called as one of the Church’s first seven deacons (Acts 6:1-7) to serve at the altar and serve the people.
Pope prays for world’s suffering children on Christmas
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Those who recognize the Lord in the baby Jesus in the manger also should recognize his presence in children suffering today because of war, poverty and immigration, Pope Francis said.
Chaplain says 40 years with bowl-bound Badgers ‘a wonderful experience’
He believes a lot of the team's current success is due to the strong spirituality among the coaches and players, starting with the head coach, who is Catholic himself.
Christmas proclaims hope, charity where fear reigns, pope says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Christmas calls believers to see God’s presence where he is often perceived as absent, especially in the “unwelcomed visitor, often unrecognizable, who walks through our cities and our neighborhoods, who travels on our buses and knocks on our doors,” Pope Francis said.
Food for Thought: Pope Francis’ reflections on the Christmas Season
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — “Today, the Son of God is born, and everything changes,” Pope Francis said in a 2016 Christmas midnight Mass homily.
An Advent tradition: Making wax figures of Jesus for mangers
MONTREAL (CNS) — For sculptor Sylvette Chanel, Advent is the busiest time of the year. She is among the few people left who keeps alive the ancient New France craft of making and repairing wax Jesus figures for Nativity scenes.
