Pope Francis arrives to lead his general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Oct. 18. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

Faith brings hope even at moment of death, pope says

Posted by - October 21, 2017

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Christians can find hope even at the hour of death, which faith teaches is not a closed door but a wide-open passage to a new life with Christ, Pope Francis said. While all men and women are “small and helpless in front of the mystery of death,” Jesus’ victory over death

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Retired Cardinal Ricardo Vidal of Cebu, Philippines, pictured in a 2012 photo at the Vatican, died Oct. 18 at the age of 86 after a series of health complications. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

Cardinal Vidal dies at 86; pope praises him as man of dialogue, peace

Posted by - October 21, 2017

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Cardinal Ricardo Vidal of Cebu, Philippines, died Oct. 18 at the age of 86 after a series of health complications. In a telegram to Archbishop Jose Palma of Cebu, Pope Francis expressed his condolences and “profound gratitude for the late cardinal’s untiring and devoted service to the church.” The pope also

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An angel figurine is seen near a headstone in 2016 at the cemetery at the motherhouse of the Sisters of St. Dominic of Amityville, N.Y. (CNS photo/Gregory A. Shemitz)

Neglected works of mercy: burying, praying for forgotten dead

Posted by - October 21, 2017

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — When a friend’s beloved dog died, Adrian Cruz dug a grave, prepared a box, cleaned the dog and helped bury the animal in a way that helped his grieving friend mourn the loss of her pet. Earlier the same day, Cruz, a Catholic mortician, tried to comfort an acquaintance who was

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San Jose Tinian Parish celebrates the 100 years of the apparition of Our Lady of Fatima.

Cardinal Mafi to Saipan Clergy: “Wash Each Other’s Feet”

Posted by - October 21, 2017

“Come away to a deserted place by yourselves and rest for a while” This verse from the Gospel of mark pretty much summed up the days spent in Rota by Bishop Ryan and the clergy of the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa. From Monday until Thursday, Cardinal Soane Patita Paini Mafi, Bishop of Tonga guided the

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Cardinal Mafi to Saipan Youths: “Keep the Journey!”

Posted by - October 21, 2017

The simplicity and the very personal approach in sharing his personal journey of faith enabled Cardinal Soane Patita Paini Mafi to relate and encouraged hundreds of youths of the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa to ‘keep the journey, weak as we are’. On Sunday, October 15th, it was probably the first time for many if not

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Mother Margarita and Mission

Posted by - October 21, 2017

Celebrated each October, World Mission Sunday is a special day for the Catholic Church to publicly renew its commitment to being missionary. Essentially this means that as Christians we need to be engaged in evangelization; bringing the love and redemptive news of Jesus Christ to the world. We are all called to do this in

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The duo of Kaitlyn Balgoa and John Kent Clitar, and Maria Althea Mendiola and Auston Guiawan recited their poem from Valentine N. Sengebau.

ESFDB School Level Valentine N. Sengebau Recital

Posted by - October 21, 2017

By: Edward C. Maratita, Jr. On Saturday, October 14, Eskuelan San Francisco de Borja held its school level 4th Annual Valentine N. Sengebau Recital. In preparation for the 14th Annual Valentine N. Sengebau Poetry Competition to be held on October 17 on Saipan, parents, guardians, and guest gathered at the school cafeteria to listen, watch,

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The Marriage Encounter Weekend Is M.E. right for us?

Posted by - October 21, 2017

Marriage Encounter Weekends are a special time for a married couple to escape from all distractions: work, kids, bills, and other pressures and concerns. When was the last time you had a weekend like that? The next CNMI Weekend takes place at the Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan from November 17-19 2017. Couples reside at

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MCS Knights Demonstrate Marked Improvement in National Reading Assessment

Posted by - October 21, 2017

Mount Carmel School students recently improved their performance on a national reading assessment designed to improve interdisciplinary literacy. From August 1 through September 30th, and so early in the school year, 65% of students are already approaching, meeting, or exceeding literacy benchmarks for college and workforce readiness. The assessment was part of the school’s participation

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