As many of us know, this week we begin the season of Lent. It is a serious time in which we prepare ourselves to celebrate Easter. Our Church asks us to do three things during this period: Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving. Prayer: We hear so many people share what they will “give up” for lent. They share
By Junno Arocho Esteves Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Christians must never lose hope and should remind themselves that God loves them even at their worst, Pope Francis said. God’s love provides “security” both in difficult moments and even when “I have done something terrible and evil,” the pope said Feb. 15 during
By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The provisions of “Amoris Laetitia” allow people in irregular marriage situations access to the sacraments only if they recognize their situation is sinful and desire to change it, according to the cardinal who heads the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts. The fact that such a
By Junno Arocho Esteves Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Diocese of Coimbra concluded its phase of the sainthood cause of Carmelite Sister Lucia dos Santos, one of the three children who saw Our Lady of Fatima in 1917. Bishop Virgilio Antunes of Coimbra formally closed the local phase of investigation into her
By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The exploitation of any person is a crime, but the exploitation of a woman “destroys harmony” in the world, Pope Francis said. Commenting on the Genesis story of God creating Eve, Pope Francis told people at his early morning Mass Feb. 9 that the creation
By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — When updating the Catholic Church’s medical and bioethical charter, experts decided it wasn’t enough to aim the guidelines at health care professionals. The entire “ecosystem” encompassing medical workers, patients, the sick and vulnerable had to be addressed, said the head of the drafting committee. Everything
By Beth Griffin Catholic News Service NEW YORK (CNS) — Religious leaders are the “trusted soldiers” people turn to when dealing with mental health issues, and their ability to identify God’s presence in people’s lives gives hope and strength to hurting members of the community, according to speakers at a Mental Health Summit for faith
By Valerie Schmalz Catholic News Service SAN FRANCISCO (CNS) — The Trump administration’s apparent endorsement of parental school choice could present a “huge opportunity” for Catholic school parents, the president of the National Catholic Educational Association told a group of Catholic high school teachers in San Francisco. “This could be a huge opportunity for parents
By Junno Arocho Esteves Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Envy and jealousy create division and destroy fellowship and brotherhood among people, especially within families and among members of the clergy, Pope Francis said. The biblical story of Cain murdering his brother Abel is a cautionary tale on the consequences of allowing bitterness to
By Catholic News Service CHICAGO (CNS) — The organizers of rallies held across the country Feb. 11 to call for defunding Planned Parenthood said their message to Congress is to redirect taxpayer’s money to facilities that “do a better job meeting the real health care needs of women and families without specializing in abortion.” More
