Pope Francis (Jorge Mario Bergoglio) was the first North American to be chosen as the Catholic Church’s Pope. Before being elected the 266th Pope, Pope Francis, a member of the Jesuit Order, was Archbishop of Buenos Aires, making him the first Jesuit to become a Pope in the history of the Catholic Church. In honor of St. Francis of Assisi who was Christ-like in living a simple and humble life dedicated to the poor, Pope Francis chose the name ‘Francis’... Read more
Catholic Relief Service vs. Trump “The Catholic Church always works to uphold the common good of all and promote the dignity of the human person, especially the most vulnerable among us, that includes the unborn, the poor, the stranger, the elderly and infirm, and migrants. The conference suddenly finds itself unable to sustain its work to care for the thousands of refugees who were welcomed into our country and assigned to the care of the USCCB by the government after... Read more
In October 2021, Pope Francis opened the Synod on Synodality; a 3-year cycle of listening, discernment, and dialogue, which is set to conclude this month. As this cycle comes to a close, it opens a new chapter in South Africa. On Wednesday, 16 October 2024, Bishop Sithembele Anton Sipuka, the current President of the Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference (SACBC) was elected, unopposed as the new President of the South African Council of Churches (SACC) The election took place at... Read more
The late Ethel Kennedy, the widow of Senator Robert F. Kennedy, was well known for her strong Catholic faith in addition to her position in one of the most powerful political families in the United States of America. Born into a deeply religious Catholic household in 1928, Ethel’s faith shaped her values and choices over the course of her life. The Upbringing Ethel Skakel Kennedy was raised in Chicago, Illinois, as part of a big Irish Catholic family. Her parents... Read more
On 7th October, Catholics commemorated the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. The Blessed Virgin Mary is referred to as Our Lady of the Rosary in relation to the Holy Rosary devotion. This title has special significance on October 7, the feast day honoring the Christian armies’ victory at the Battle of Lepanto in 1571. After Pope Pius V urged Catholics to pray for victory, the triumph was credited to the Virgin Mary’s intervention through the recitation of the... Read more
Saint Francis of Assisi whose feast day is 4 October, was born in 1181 – he is one of the most popular and enduring characters in Christian history, known for his unwavering devotion to God and great love for creation. His life is a timeless example of humility, simplicity, and compassion for all living things. Though St. Francis lived before present scientific understanding of environmental deterioration and global warming (climate change), his spiritual legacy is relevant to today’s ecological catastrophe.... Read more
The International Day of the Deaf is celebrated annually on the last Sunday of September. It reminds society of the importance of inclusion, accessibility, and the recognition of the rights of deaf people around the world. The day recognizes not only the obstacles that the deaf community faces, but also their contributions to society and development in areas such as activism and inclusion. The World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) established the day to raise awareness of the challenges that... Read more
James Earl Jones, best known for his deep and powerful voice and an illustrious acting career, was made popular by his role as Darth Vader in “Star Wars” and Mufasa in “The Lion King.” Jones also starred in movies such as “The Great White Hope” and “Field of Dreams.” Apart from his professional accomplishments, Jones was a deeply spiritual individual. This led to his conversion to Catholicism, a decision influenced by his background, personal experiences, and the search for the... Read more
“Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” – Luke 22:42 The crucifixion of Jesus Christ is a pivotal event in Christian theology and history, with deep theological, political, and social significance. There are several factors that contributed to Jesus’ crucifixion, each shedding light on the complex circumstances surrounding his death. To begin with, Jesus’ teachings and actions challenged the religious and political authorities of his time. He preached about... Read more
On Monday, 8 January 2024, in his “state of the world” address where he addressed Vatican-accredited diplomats, Pope Francis called for the global ban of surrogacy calling it “deplorable”. For couples who struggling with infertility, they probably felt as if the Church does not see or feel their pain. However, that is not the case – as a Mother, the Church does recognize the pain of these couples. The Church empathizes with the couples in the Catechism of the Catholic... Read more
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