God’s tenderness can soften the hardest hearts, pope says

Posted by - May 7, 2017

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — God’s compassion can change the rigid hearts of those who use his law to condemn others, Pope Francis said. A person with a hardened, “pagan heart does not allow the Spirit to enter” and often relies on his or her own strength and intellect rather than understanding God’s will through humility,

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Pope Francis greets Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi and government officials during a meeting in Cairo April 28. The pope was making a two-day visit to Egypt.

Catholic leaders: Papal trip was blessing for Christian, Muslim Egyptians

Posted by - May 7, 2017

AMMAN, Jordan (CNS) — Pope Francis’ historic, 72-hour visit to Cairo has left a profound mark on Egyptians, Catholic leaders said, as they anticipate increased ties with fellow Orthodox Christians and Muslims. “The pope’s visit was a big blessing to the Egyptians, both Muslims and Christians. It boosted the morale of the Egyptian people, especially

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Pope Francis greets the crowd as he arrives to celebrate Mass at the Air Defense Stadium in Cairo April 29. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

True faith means loving others to the extreme, pope tells Egypt’s Catholics

Posted by - May 7, 2017

CAIRO (CNS) — The only kind of fanaticism that is acceptable to God is being fanatical about loving and helping others, Pope Francis said on his final day in Egypt. “True faith,” he told Catholics, “makes us more charitable, more merciful, more honest and more humane. It moves our hearts to love everyone without counting

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Pope Francis listens to a question from Vera Shcherbakova of the Itar-Tass news agency while talking with journalists aboard his flight from Cairo to Rome April 29. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

Pope: U.S., North Korea need diplomatic solution to escalating tensions

Posted by - May 7, 2017

ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT FROM CAIRO (CNS) — A diplomatic solution must be found to the escalating tension between North Korea and the United States, Pope Francis told journalists. “The path (to take) is the path of negotiation, the path of a diplomatic solution,” he said when asked about U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to

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Church needs missionaries, not ‘clericalized’ laity, pope says

Posted by - May 7, 2017

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Catholic Church needs laypeople with a missionary spirit, which means Catholics do not have to try to force members into a vocation that is the Holy Spirit’s to give, Pope Francis said. The temptation to impose a vocation on laypeople as some kind of validation of their service in the

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Cardinal Dolan slams DNC pledge to support only pro-abortion candidates

Posted by - May 7, 2017

WASHINGTON (CNS) — New York Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan described the recent pledge from the Democratic National Committee’s chair to support only pro-abortion candidates “disturbing” and “intolerant.” The cardinal, who is chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, urged members of the Democratic party to “challenge their leadership to recant

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(From Left) Chris and & Aguilar, Region 12 Ecclesial Leaders from San Jose, CA, Bishop Ryan P. Jiminez and Linda & Gonzalo Pangelinan, the newly commisioned Leader Couple for the Marriage Encounter in CNMI.

Marriage Encounter Commissions New Leaders

Posted by - May 5, 2017

The CNMI Chapter of the Worldwide Marriage Encounter is pleased to commission Gonzalo & Linda Pangelinan as the new Leadership Couple for our Community. Chris & Ann Aguilar, the Regional Ecclesial Couple from Region 12 visited from San Jose, California to conduct the Discernment and Commissioning Ceremony. Also present was His Excellency Ryan P. Jimenez,

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Bishop Ryan Hosts First Pastoral Planning Forum in May

Posted by - May 5, 2017

The Bishop’s Committee on Diocesan Pastoral Planning will host a full day forum on Thursday, May 18, 2017, at the San Antonio Parish Social Hall. The forum will be the first opportunity during the pastoral planning process for the clergy and various diocesan partners to come together to discern the direction of the Diocese in

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MISSION: POSSIBLE
“Go into the whole world and proclaim the good news to all creation” (Mk. 16:15)

Posted by - May 4, 2017

The opening scenes of the American television series, Mission: Impossible (1966-1973) always included, “(Name), your mission, should you decide to accept it . . .” The show was a product of its time about secret government agents. Later five movies followed from 1996 to 2015, with the sixth now set to be released in 2018.

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Northern Marianas College Director of Financial Aid, Daisy Propst (right), and Lisa Rafael from NMC’s Office of Admissions and Records prepare to recruit Knights to Start Smart at NMC.

Mount Carmel School Hosts College week

Posted by - May 4, 2017

THIS PAST week, Mount Carmel School’s Student Council hosted the school’s 2nd annual College Week. Led by Student Council President Zeno Deleon Guerrero, the week promoted a college-bound culture among the student body. MCS College Week kicked off with a college fair in which professionals from across the is- land represented their college alma maters

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