The Gospel passage (Mt 5:13-16) for the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time offers two vivid images that Jesus must have picked up from his Mom, as well as from the simple, daily life of his village of Nazareth. Salt and light. In ancient time, salt made life better, more livable, and oil lamps extended activities... Continue Reading →
Charges dropped, for now, against woman arrested for praying silently outside UK abortion clinic
“It’s important to me that I can continue my vital work in supporting women who’d like to avoid abortion if they only had some help,” she said. “In order to do so, it’s vital that I have clarity as to my legal status. Many of us need an answer as to whether it’s still lawful…Charges... Continue Reading →
The moving heroism of a WWII priest, rabbi and 2 Protestant ministers: 80 years ago today
Like many young men at the time, John P. Washington heard the news about the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, and decided to enlist. The difference was, John Washington was a Catholic priest. But he wanted to be able to serve those who would go on to serve their country in... Continue Reading →
Saints Alive! | The Presentation of the Lord
Today, the Church celebrates the Feast of The Presentation of the Lord. From Magnificat Magazine: As the Son of God, Jesus is already “consecrated to the Lord.” Yet Mary and Joseph present him in the Temple in fulfillment of the Law so that Israel could encounter its long-awaited consolation and redemption. In presenting the Redeemer…Saints... Continue Reading →
Here’s what Pope Francis said about exploitative mining in the Congo
By Jonah McKeown St. Louis, Mo., Feb 2, 2023 / 15:15 pm As part of his visit to Africa this week, Pope Francis met Tuesday with civil leaders of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), one of the largest and poorest countries on the continent. Speaking with authorities including President Félix Tshisekedi, the pope denounced... Continue Reading →
Pakistani Christians brace for more persecution under revised blasphemy law
A recent move to make Pakistan’s so-called blasphemy laws stricter will make it easier to convict innocent people, including religious minorities, says a British Pakistani Christian organization. “The additional hardening of laws will make it only easier to convict innocent people,” said Juliet Chowdhry, Trustee for the British Asian Christian Association. The organization says that... Continue Reading →
Television station rediscovers lost interview with priest who developed Big Bang theory
Kathleen Bertrem of VRT’s archives mentioned in late December 2022 that finding this historic material was like “looking for a needle in a haystack” due to the company misclassifying its extensive files. Nevertheless, the television channel found among its archives the tape of an interview in French that producer Jerome Verhaeghe conducted with Lemaitre on... Continue Reading →
Top Ten Practicing Catholic countries: It’s an African story
What if we change the focus in population counts to what we might call “practicing” Catholics, meaning those who go to Mass at least once a week?Top Ten Practicing Catholic countries: It’s an African story
St. John Bosco, a man for (almost) every occasion!
Like so many great saints, St. John Bosco led an unusual life. He was aised in great poverty and with little education, yet today his name is beloved all over the world. St. John Bosco was born Giovanni Melchior Bosco in Italy in 1888, during a harsh time of drought and famine. His father died... Continue Reading →
Pope Francis accepts Ouellet’s resignation, appoints American to lead Dicastery for Bishops
Catholic News Agency, Courtney Mares: Pope Francis on Monday named an American as the next prefect of the Vatican Dicastery for Bishops to succeed Cardinal Marc Ouellet. Bishop Robert Francis Prevost will lead the Vatican office responsible for evaluating new members of the Catholic Church’s hierarchy, the Vatican announced Jan. 30. Report is here.Pope Francis... Continue Reading →