School District Removes Non-Christian Preference from Teacher Contracts

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:53 pm By Kathy Schiffer

The Ferndale School District, north of Detroit, has agreed to delete a clause in its teacher contract that gives employment preference to people “of the non-Christian faith.” Michigan Capitol Confidential reported that the discriminatory clause, which apparently was inserted in the 1970s and which had been unenforced and unnoticed until this week, appeared on page 22 of the lengthy contract. There is a nondiscrimination clause earlier in the contract. Regarding promotion to a vacant position, the contract stated: Should there be... Read more

Pope Francis Plants a “Virtual Olive Tree”

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:53 pm By Kathy Schiffer

Plant a forest of peace: That’s the message that Pope Francis wanted to impart to the world’s children on March 19, when he tapped the screen of a tablet and planted a “virtual olive tree.” The Pontifical Academy of Sciences is promoting the initiative, which was originated by Scholas Occurrentes, the “Worldwide Network of Schools Getting Together.” Director General of the Scholas Occurrentes Enrique Palmeyro told the international news agency ZENIT the history of the initiative: Palmeyro recalled that “in... Read more

Are You Going to Philly? All Your Friends Will Be There!

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:53 pm By Kathy Schiffer

On September 22-27, 2015, Philadelphia will welcome the 8th World Meeting of Families, which is expected to draw a global audience. The event was announced during the papacy of Pope Benedict XVI, but it’s anticipated that Pope Francis will attend. This, the Pope’s first visit to the United States, will be a momentous event indeed! In June 2012, the 7th World Meeting, held in Milan, Italy, drew hundreds of thousands to the city with more than one million attending the... Read more

Creative Easter Baskets for Catholic Kiddies

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:53 pm By Kathy Schiffer

Easter’s coming! And as much as children love the jelly beans and the chocolate bunny and the marshmallow eggs, there are lots of moms and dads who want to inject some faith into the Easter basket. When our children were small, we were sometimes successful in finding white chocolate crosses or tiny rosaries in plastic egg cases to press into the plastic grass in their baskets. I have some other ideas, though, for dedicated Catholic parents who want to be... Read more

Everyday Wisdom from Archbishop Fulton Sheen

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:53 pm By Kathy Schiffer

+ JMJ + This Lent, I’ve been spending a little time each day with Archbishop Fulton Sheen. Things just sort of came together: First, a medical board completed their review of an alleged miracle, calling it “unexplainable”, and forwarded to theologians and the Pope for a final decision. If approved, the miracle would advance Archbishop Sheen’s cause, moving one of America’s best-known and loved teachers and preachers along the road toward canonization. Then, I was fingering books in my... Read more

“Be Close to Your Children”: Pope Francis’ St. Joseph Day Message for Fathers

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:53 pm By Kathy Schiffer

“Be close to your children,” Pope Francis said today to pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square. “They need you. Just as St. Joseph was close to Jesus in his physical, psychological and spiritual growth, you too must be guardians in age, wisdom and grace.” * * * * * Every Wednesday, crowds gather in St. Peter’s Square at 11 a.m. to hear the Holy Father teach about matters of faith, and to... Read more

The Pope Hates Paperwork, Too!

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:53 pm By Kathy Schiffer

Pope Francis hates paperwork–and so do I! There, I’ve said it! Coupons and junk mail, charitable requests, newspapers, recipe cards, tattered photos, invitations, memos and correspondence, stacks of books and press releases, newspaper clippings for my “idea” file…. My desk is a mess. So is my kitchen counter. So is my bedside table. But today I enjoy a respite from guilt, after learning that Pope Francis doesn’t like the busywork either. The Catholic Herald reported today about the pope’s dislike... Read more

Catholics, Anglicans and Muslims Come Together to Oppose Human Trafficking

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:53 pm By Kathy Schiffer

Human trafficking is everyone’s problem. In a groundbreaking collaboration, representatives of Catholic, Anglican and Muslim communities came together on Monday, March 17, in the Vatican Press Office to launch an initiative aimed at fighting human trafficking. The Global Freedom Network , which will be based in the Vatican, will enable the different faith communities to work closely together to fight trafficking. The collaboration agreement was signed by: Catholic Bishop Marcelo Sanches Sorondo, on behalf of Pope Francis. Bishop Sorondo, an... Read more

Priest, Prophet, King: Fr. Robert Barron’s Newest Teaching Series

Last updated on: March 4, 2015 at 4:05 pm By Kathy Schiffer

Father Robert Barron, whose excellent book and breathtaking video series Catholicism earned raves when it was introduced three years ago, has a new film and study series ready for use in your parish. I reviewed Catholicism for Patheos back in 2011, before I was a regular blogger on the site. Today, Word on Fire Ministries has released the video trailer for a new, six-part film and study program, Priest, Prophet King. This new series, filmed in high-definition at Mundelein Seminary, combines the... Read more

Evangelii Gaudium: Rome’s Best Seller Since Vatican II

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:53 pm By Kathy Schiffer

One year after Pope Francis’ election as Roman pontiff, the Catholic Truth Society has announced that it’s sold more copies of the pope’s first apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium than it has any publication since the documents of Vatican II. The Catholic Herald, Britain’s Catholic newspaper, reports that the CTS has just printed its fifth edition of the apostolic exhortation. Since the document’s release in December 2013, more than 25,000 copies of Evangelii Gaudium–more than twice the number of any previous... Read more