From CNS:  The Vatican’s Christmas tree and Nativity scene will feature unique designs and decorations highlighting several issues close to Pope Francis, including care for the environment, the sick and migrants. An 82-foot spruce tree will be the centerpiece of the Vatican’s Christmas holidays, the governing office of Vatican City said. The tree will be harvested Nov. 13 in the Lagorai forest near Scurelle in the northern province of Trent and will benefit from a unique gesture in keeping with... Read more

Details:  The New York Times exit poll from yesterday’s presidential election shows Republican candidate Donald Trump winning among Catholic voters 52-45 over Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. This is a marked change from the 2012 presidential race, in which Democrat Barack Obama bested Republican Mitt Romney among Catholics 50-48. In 2016, not only did Catholic voters opt for the Republican over the Democrat, but the margin of victory was significantly larger this time around: Trump won Catholics by 7 points, whereas Obama... Read more

You’ve heard of a Red Mass for lawyers, and a Blue Mass for police officers. Now, add another color: A group of American Catholics have recently united to form the Society of Catholic Scientists. Their first event will be a Gold Mass for scientists, held at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s chapel on Nov. 15 at 5:15 p.m. Catholic scientists, including science educators and students, are encouraged to attend. The group is in the process of planning another Gold Mass... Read more

From CNS:  Congratulating Donald Trump for his victory in the U.S. presidential election, the Vatican secretary of state expressed hope that people would work together “to change the global situation, which is a situation of serious laceration, serious conflict.” Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Pope Francis’ top aide, spoke about the election early Nov. 9 during a meeting at Rome’s Pontifical Lateran University. The Vatican then released a transcript of his remarks. “First of all,” he said, “we respectfully must take note... Read more

Details: Everything became official two or three months prior, but nine days before ordination, pending holy orders still seemed surreal. “I can’t believe I got that letter from the bishop — that he’s calling me to ordination. I’m still kind of in awe that I’ve been called,” Dcn. Tony Smith said. That letter formally wrapped up a five-year formation process plus two years of academic preparation through the Kino Catechetical Institute prior to that. His call to holy orders was one... Read more

This statement was released tonight from Bishop Patrick Zurek of the Diocese of Amarillo, who is Father Frank Pavone’s ordinary: Priests for Life, Inc., is not a Catholic institution, but a civil organization, and it is not under the control or supervision of the Diocese of Amarillo. Father Frank Pavone has posted a video on his Facebook page of the body of an aborted fetus, which is against the dignity of human life and is a desecration of the altar. We... Read more

The Diocese of Raleigh plans to dedicate its new cathedral next year, and it will have its very own hymn. From CNS:  Michael Accurso wondered what was going on. He received an email inviting him to a meeting, but there were no details about the topic. Only a day and time. “Of course the first thing to go through my head was, ‘I’m being asked to meet with the bishop and the vicar general and he doesn’t say why … am... Read more

This story has been getting a lot of attention—but in reading the coverage and watching that video, I couldn’t help but think of another priest who has been a great advocate for the unborn, working tirelessly on behalf of life without getting much attention or sparking controversy. It’s Brooklyn’s own Msgr. Philip Reilly, founder of Helpers of God’s Precious Infants. His organization has done tremendous good—simply with presence and prayer:  About 50 of us processed from my parish to an abortion clinic several blocks... Read more

Many of you will remember the story of Father Thomas Uzhunnalil, who was kidnapped in Yemen last spring. Reports of his imminent release surfaced a few times—but nothing ever happened, and news about his situation has been scarce.  Friday, the Salesians released the following statement: On March 4, 2016, a group of armed men attacked the house of the Missionaries of Charity in Aden, Yemen, killing 16 people, including four sisters.  At the time of the attack, an Indian Salesian, Fr.... Read more

Word about this leaked on Friday, but now the Vatican has made it official. Details:  In his latest move to reshape the hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church in the United States, Pope Francis on Monday named a moderate known for standing up for refugees and nuns to be the next leader of the Archdiocese of Newark, a large and troubled diocese. Francis’ pick is Joseph W. Tobin, currently the archbishop of Indianapolis. He made national headlines last year when... Read more