2015-03-13T16:11:23-04:00

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 4:11 pm   By

From Vatican Radio:  The leader of the Catholic church in Libya is calling for dialogue and understanding in his violence wrought country. Bishop Giovanni Innocenzo Martinelli, Apostolic Vicar of Tripoli, has vowed to stay in Libya with the few remaining Christians, witnesses of Jesus’s message of love. Speaking in Italian to Vatican radio as the last foreign nationals scramble to flee Libya, Bishop Martinelli says he is not leaving his church and the few Christians left in Tripoli, “we are... Read more

2015-03-13T16:11:23-04:00

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 4:11 pm   By

The organization People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has a few thoughts about what you should give up for the penitential season. I’m sure it will surprise no one that most of what they are encouraging us to give up involves animals. To wit: Go vegan for Lent! Lent is a time for giving things up. For Christians, it’s a way of remembering how Jesus fasted in the desert. Many non-religious people also choose to make a change... Read more

2015-03-13T16:11:24-04:00

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 4:11 pm   By

Every year, Ash Wednesday rolls around, and every year, this church swells with crowds of people, eager to be marked as we begin the observance of Lent. Receiving these ashes, of course, serves a number of purposes. First, it proclaims to the world that we are Catholic Christians. It tells others that we are preparing for Easter, embarking on this 40-day journey of fasting and prayer and almsgiving. And, significantly, it announces that the light of Christ burning within us... Read more

2015-03-13T16:11:24-04:00

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 4:11 pm   By

From Vatican Radio:  Pope Francis offered Mass Tuesday morning for the repose of the souls of the twenty-one Coptic Christians martyred for their faith in Christ. The Mass was attended by the Pope’s personal secretary, Abuna Yoannis Lahzi Gaid, who is Coptic Catholic. As he prepared to begin Mass in the Santa Marta Chapel, the Pope invited the congregation to join him in prayer for ‘our brother Copts, whose throats were slit for the sole reason of being Christian, that... Read more

2015-03-13T16:11:24-04:00

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 4:11 pm   By

From The New York Times:  For the better part of the last 60 years, Bishop Cosma Shi Enxiang was imprisoned in Chinese jails and labor camps. For the last 14, he was held without charge in a secret location. His offense: refusing to renounce his loyalty to the Roman Catholic Church, which ordained him in 1947. Now, as unconfirmed reports of his death have emerged, Bishop Shi, who was to turn 94 this month, may face the gravest indignity of all.... Read more

2015-03-13T16:11:24-04:00

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 4:11 pm   By

From AP:  Homeless people are lining up outside the public restrooms off St Peter’s Square to take advantage of Pope Francis’ new charitable initiative: a free shave and shower for the least fortunate. The Vatican’s barber shop for the homeless opened on Monday and 49-year-old Mauro Casubolo was one of the first clients. His chin was still red from the shave – his first in three weeks – but he was grateful. Mr Casubolo said: “It’s a beautiful thing he’s... Read more

2015-03-13T16:11:25-04:00

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 4:11 pm   By

From The Weekly Standard:  In an effort to sign up as many consumers as possible for insurance under the Affordable Care Act (or Obamacare), the Obama administration has gone to extraordinary lengths to partner with churches and other faith-based groups, even publishing sample church bulletin inserts, flyers, and scripts for announcements, as well as “talking points.” These materials are part of the “Second Sunday & Faith Weekend of Action Toolkit,” which is available on the website of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).... Read more

2015-03-13T16:11:41-04:00

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 4:11 pm   By

  View image | gettyimages.com NPR’s Indira Lakshmanan sat down with Rocco Palmo this weekend to talk about Pope Francis, two years into his papacy. Snip:  LAKSHMANAN: Can he compel priests and cardinals to follow his example, or is this just him expressing a personal opinion and hoping that they fall into line? PALMO: As for the leadership of the church, you know, there are many who are on board with him, but one of the perks of being pope is... Read more

2015-03-13T16:11:42-04:00

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 4:11 pm   By

From The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, a rare glimpse at an unusual way of worship: The 11:30 Sunday Mass at St. Mary of the Mount Catholic Church begins with the usual greetings and an unusual request — that parishioners remain seated during the hymns and other parts of the liturgy where they normally would stand. That’s so members of the Catholic Deaf Community, who form an integral part of the service, can see their colleagues as they sign the prayers, hymns, Bible... Read more

2015-03-13T16:11:42-04:00

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 4:11 pm   By

I spent the weekend giving pulpit talks on behalf of CNEWA at Our Holy Redeemer parish in Freeport, Long Island. I served and preached at three Masses; my colleague Norma Intriago, the director of development, spoke at the two Hispanic Masses. What a pretty, old-fashioned kind of church. As I joked to the pastor at the beginning of my homily, “This is almost worthy of Brooklyn!” It’s a big and busy parish with seven weekend Masses (two in Spanish). We received a warm... Read more

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