Mike Pence and Tim Kaine face off tonight in the vice presidential debate. The New York Times this morning suggests that the debate may bring back to the fore a subject that has been largely sidelined by the candidates at the top of the ticket: faith. An excerpt: Mr. Pence, who was raised Catholic, turned toward evangelical Christianity when he was in college and has made no secret of how cultural issues have shaped his politics. He was one of the most... Read more

The image above appeared on the St. Joseph College Seminary Facebook page: seminarians and local parishioners praying outside an abortion facility in Charlotte, NC. The posting also included the image below: [img attachment=”121790″ align=”aligncenter” size=”full” alt=”14522879_1767207110216244_1614355564102802879_n” /] A commenter explained: She is paid by the abortion facility to discourage pro-lifers from “harassing women.” Meanwhile she complimented them on their “dresses” and ridiculed them for “praying to the trees.” Pray for these seminarians, and all those who courageously continue to bear... Read more

Born in a stable, Jesus likely felt right at home. From CNS:  “American Pharoah is on this farm,” Karen said. “Shut. Up,” I said. “Really? Do you think they’ll let us see him?” “Nah, he’s probably in a secure area,” she said. Well, it turned out that not only did we get to see American Pharoah but we participated in the first Mass ever to be said next to his stall where he now lives at Ashford Stud Farm in... Read more

From CNS: Catholics facing difficult political choices must study the issues, pray about the election and then vote according to their consciences, Pope Francis said. Flying back to Rome from Azerbaijan Oct. 2, the pope was asked by a reporter what U.S. Catholics should do in a presidential election where both candidates hold some positions contrary to church teaching. Although he was in a relaxed mood and welcomed reporters’ questions for almost an hour, Pope Francis said he would never... Read more

He made the remarks on this subject on the plane returning to Rome from Georgia. From CNS:  Catholics who are homosexual, confused about their sexuality or convinced they were born in the wrong body deserve the same attentive pastoral care as anyone else, Pope Francis said. Flying back to Rome Oct. 2 after a visit to Georgia and Azerbaijan, the pope was asked, given his criticism Oct. 1 of “gender theory” and of what he describes as “ideological colonization,” how... Read more

The Boss appeared on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” Friday night to plug his new memoir, “Born to Run,” and the talk turned to Springsteen’s Catholic upbringing. Check out the clip below, in which Springsteen talks about how his Catholicism affected his music—and he remembers his first experience as an altar boy. He even speaks a little Latin.   Read more

Details: A 39 year old Ghanaian national has been arrested for attacking four churches in Rome and vandalizing many priceless sacred statutes, including some 300 years old. The perpetrator attacked sacred art in the 9th-century Basilica of Santa Prassede, near Saint Mary Major, the church of San Martino ai Monti, and the Basilicas of San Giovanni de’ Fiorentini, on the Via Giulia, and San Vitale, on the Via Nazionale. At about 19:30 on the 30th September the parish priest of San Martino ai Monti... Read more

Details:  About two dozen Virginia Catholics held a peaceful demonstration against Tim Kaine outside the Richmond Diocese Center Tuesday afternoon. The group is calling on Bishop Francis DiLorenzo to impose a Catholic Church rule that would deny Kaine communion. They say the vice presidential candidate is not in good standing with the church unless he repents by going to confession and publicly changes many of his political stances. The group argues Kaine is in sin with his support of abortion access, gay marriage... Read more

From CNA:  Catholics who can’t in good conscience vote for either major presidential candidate are well within their rights to pick a third option, says Bishop James Conley of Lincoln, Nebraska. Voters need to discern whether there is a candidate in each race who can “advance human dignity, the right to life and the common good,” he said in his Sept. 30 column for the Southern Nebraska Register. “When there is, we should feel free to vote for that candidate... Read more

From an email this morning: Last Saturday, September 24th, I had the privilege of concelebrating at the ordinations of 17 new permanent deacons in Rockford, IL. The very unofficial pic [shown here] was taken afterward. My good friend, Deacon Frank Zammuto was part of this class. Just thought I’d let you know since it hasn’t been reported on your site yet. Peace always, Jim Jankowski Shared pastor at St. John Neumann and St. James the Apostle in the Diocese of... Read more