The Catholic Sun

Christine Accurso said she made the trip of a lifetime in traveling to Rome for the April 27 canonization of St. John XXIII and St. John Paul II.

Pope Francis told seminarians not to become "orphan priests," who are motherless without Mary; "businessman priests," who are after money; or "prince priests," who are aloof from the people.

Pope Francis signed a decree May 9 recognizing a miracle attributed to the intercession of Pope Paul VI, who led the church from 1963 to 1978, and authorized publication of an Oct. 19 beatification date, according to a Vatican statement. The miracle involved the birth of a baby in California in the 1990s.

A recent Mother's Day party organized by Maggie’s Place staff provided a home-like setting where children played while their mothers sought follow-up support. Some 600 Maggie's Place alumnae moms have been helped by the organization since it opened its doors on Mother's Day 14 years ago. Not all of them are active, but Laura Magruder, executive director, knows many women return for cordial visits or when in a pinch.

The Federal Communications Commission plan on net neutrality has drawn criticism from many, including now-retired Archbishop George H. Niederauer of San Francisco.

Fleeing conflict and violence back home, refugees from Syria and Iraq praised the Catholic humanitarian agencies helping them to cope with their trauma while starting a new life in their adopted safe haven of Jordan. Living became impossible in Ahmed's northern Syrian city of Aleppo because of constant fighting and government bombardments.

To honor the sacrifice of those killed for their faith in the 20th century, Christians today must renew their commitment to reconciliation and full Christian unity, Pope Francis

The future of humanity depends on economic policies that protect the environment, support human dignity and promote justice, said several participants at a Vatican symposium. People need to understand the severe consequences of degrading and outstripping the world's natural resources and to take responsibility for reversing the damage.

Religious groups in Nigeria's northeastern Borno state have organized prayer sessions and other activities to support the rescue of kidnapped schoolgirls. Groups had increased their prayers after about 200 villagers were killed in the state earlier in the week.

Training of pastoral leaders and provision of most other resources for Hispanic ministry aren't keeping up with the fast-approaching time when Hispanics will make up the majority of Catholics in the United States, according to a new report.