Here’s something different: In response to Pope Francis declaring an Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy, the Polish Church has created a cellphone app that allows users to keep a personal record of their Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. The app was given to the Pontifical Council for the New Evangelization as a birthday gift for the Pope. “Misericors” is very interactive and allows people to incorporate good deeds into their daily lives. Upon opening the app, the user is... Read more

From the vault, my homily from Palm Sunday 2010:  + One of the more remarkable aspects of the gospel we just heard is the WAY in which we heard it. This week is the only time that the gospel is proclaimed by someone besides a priest or deacon – every individual in this church takes part. It’s a great privilege. And it – literally — gives us a role in Christ’s passion. But what do we say? What lines are... Read more

Wow:  After their seminary in Qaraqosh was dissolved following a brutal ISIS attack in 2014, four Iraqi seminarians chose not to give up after being forced to flee, but to continue their path to the priesthood. Now, a year and a half after the attack that uprooted them from their homes, the four men will be ordained deacons, and have chosen a church in an Erbil refugee camp for the March 19 ceremony. “People want hope, and when they see that there... Read more

From his website:  Presidential candidate Ted Cruz today announced endorsements from more than 50 Catholic leaders, including activists, public servants, pro-life advocates, clergy, and business leaders. Dr. Robert P. George and Ken Cuccinelli are co-chairs of the initiative, leading Cruz’s outreach in the Catholic community. “The Catholic Church is an unwavering voice for life, marriage, and religious liberty,” said Cruz. “These three issues have been central to my campaign since the very beginning, and I have been proud to stand... Read more

May I suggest this little book, just published by Abbey Press? Details:  Since the early days of his pontificate, Pope Francis has challenged us to reclaim the “good news” of the Gospel and to allow that good news to heal shattered lives. He is an evangelist of hope who models true servant leadership and whose witness to joy has changed the Church and the world. This small volume brings together the reflections of five leaders in the deacon community in... Read more

From The Onion:  Pushing himself to the physical brink in the bitter cold wilderness high in the Alps, Pope Francis reportedly began training Friday for this year’s upcoming Easter Mass by dragging a wooden pew loaded with rocks across the snow. “No stopping now; the weak never finish,” said the sweat-drenched bishop of Rome, pausing briefly to splash his face with holy water before continuing the workout by trudging through waist-high snow while shouldering a heavy wooden crucifix. “Come on—... Read more

It happens periodically, and it’s happening again this year: next Friday, March 25 is both Good Friday and the Feast of the Annunciation. What’s a Catholic to do? The USCCB in its official calendar notes the following: Since March 25, 2016 is Friday of the Passion of the Lord (Good Friday), the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, normally assigned to this day, is transferred to Monday, April 4, 2016. The Optional Memorial of St. Isidore, Bishop and Doctor... Read more

I’ve known a few interfaith families who have done this. But what about Christian families who want to connect to Jesus and his Jewish faith in a deeper way? Here’s one perspective, from writer Rebecca Cynamon-Murphy: Christians may desire to become more Christ-like or to develop deeper understanding of Christian roots, but hosting a Jewish Passover outside of the context of Jewish relationships does more harm than good. Christians celebrating their own Passover do unwitting harm to the Jewish people because they... Read more

Details:  State police in Columbia County say they nabbed a very unlikely thief: a religious sister. Troopers tracked the woman to her convent in Danville after she allegedly shoplifted from a store. Workers at the Surplus Outlet near Berwick say she stole $23 worth of food and toiletries from the business. They say the crime was caught on the store’s surveillance camera. Zane Kishbach, a manager at Surplus Outlet pointed out what is believed to be a woman shoplifting from... Read more

From Vatican Radio: The lights of theCupola atop St. Peter’s Basilicaare to go dark on the evening of Saturday, March 19th, along with those that illumine Bernini’s colonnade embracing St. Peter’s Square. From 8:30 PM to 9:30 PM in the evening, the lights shall remain dark on the occasion of the 2016 iteration of Earth Hour – an initiative promoted by the World Wildlife Fund International, in which the Vatican City State is participating. The lights illuminating the two fountains in... Read more