Fr. Giovanni Merlini to Be Beatified on January 12, 2025

Last updated on: December 17, 2024 at 5:41 pm By William Hemsworth

Dayton, OH— The Missionaries of the Precious Blood have announced the beatification of Fr. Giovanni Merlini, its third Moderator General, on January 12, 2025, at the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome. The occasion marks a significant milestone in recognizing Fr. Merlini’s unwavering dedication to faith, service, and the mission of the Church. Fr. Giovanni Merlini (1795–1873) was a trusted confidant and successor to St. Gaspar del Bufalo, founder of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood. Fr. Merlini’s devotion to the Blood... Read more

Marcel Taillon Winds Up Term as Interim Vocations Director

Last updated on: December 15, 2024 at 7:14 pm By William Hemsworth

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WASHINGTON, DC — Father Marcel Taillon has completed his brief but consequential term as interim Vocations Director for the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS). Father Taillon, who joined the AMS on April 15, will return this month—as planned—to his home Diocese of Providence. By Christmas he will resume his role as pastor of Saint Thomas More Parish in Narragansett, RI. His Excellency, the Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio, Archbishop for the Military Services, expressed appreciation to Father Taillon for his service, guiding young men discerning the... Read more

Adaptation of “A Christmas Carol” Soars Podcast Charts

Last updated on: December 12, 2024 at 5:47 pm By William Hemsworth

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Chicago, IL, December 12, 2024 — The timeless 19th century classic novel from Charles Dickens comes alive to families in a whole new way as an Audio Advent Calendar thanks to the creative interpretation of The Merry Beggars, a Christian entertainment apostolate dedicated to producing uplifting and exceptionally-produced audio content for families. Adapted into 25 immersive installments, featuring the vocal talents of professional actors, “A Christmas Carol: An Audio Advent Calendar” has surpassed the 1 million download mark, officially reaching #1 in the Apple Fiction... Read more

Meet the teacher devoted to protecting Polish culture

Last updated on: December 5, 2024 at 5:44 pm By William Hemsworth

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When Bożena Konkiel first started teaching music and math at St. Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Academy in Brooklyn’s Greenpoint neighborhood in 2000, nearly 80% of her students were Polish-American. These days, that number is as low as 20% — and in some classes, zero. But Konkiel’s devotion to teaching and celebrating the music of her native Poland is helping keep this crucial cultural connection alive for the area’s students and the greater community. “I teach all of my students... Read more

U.S. Navy Chaplain Hopeful Ordained a Transitional Deacon

Last updated on: November 25, 2024 at 7:27 pm By William Hemsworth

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LOS ANGELES – The Reverend Mr. Paul Collins, LT, USNR, a candidate for Catholic priesthood and United States Military chaplaincy, was ordained a transitional deacon on Saturday, Nov. 23, in his home Archdiocese of Los Angeles, CA. The new deacon is on track to be ordained a priest next year and hopes eventually to serve as a Catholic chaplain in the United States Navy, providing pastoral care to Catholic sailors, U.S. Marines, Coast Guard members, and their families, with endorsement and faculties from the Archdiocese... Read more

Archdiocese Sets New Records for Attendance and Proceeds

Last updated on: November 24, 2024 at 2:58 pm By William Hemsworth

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WASHINGTON, DC – The Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS), set new records Saturday evening for both attendance and giving at its 16th Annual Benefit. His Excellency, the Most Rev. Timothy P. Broglio, J.C.D., Archbishop for the Military Services, hosted a record 383 guests at the Saint John Paul II National Shrine in Northeast Washington. The guests, including active-duty and retired senior U.S. Military officers and their spouses, raised $513,000 for the Archdiocese, the largest amount ever collected in the history of the Annual Benefit.... Read more

I Am Second Releases Powerful ‘Second Edition’ Film

Last updated on: November 20, 2024 at 4:46 pm By William Hemsworth

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PLANO, Texas, Nov. 19, 2024 — Global storytelling organization I Am Second has released its latest ‘Second Edition’ film: The Ethan Hallmark Legacy. This compelling film returns to the Hallmark family, who reflect on how their son Ethan, whose courageous battle with stage 4 neuroblastoma (a rare type of childhood cancer), unexpectedly touched the hearts of thousands through his bold faith. In 2014, I Am Second first introduced Ethan’s journey through a short film, Many Are the Wonders, that documented his fight against cancer and the... Read more

Review of Be Yourself: A Journal For Catholic Boys

Last updated on: November 14, 2024 at 6:10 pm By William Hemsworth

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It has been a while since I have done a book review and admit that I need to do more. I recently received a copy of Be Yourself: A Journal For Catholic Boys. My 11 year old son was with me when I opened the package and he ran off with it. It drew him in and the contents helped him grow in his faith. The author of the book in Amy Brooks and she is the founder of Catholics... Read more

Survey Reveals Ways for Parishes to Make People Feel Welcome

Last updated on: November 14, 2024 at 5:40 pm By William Hemsworth

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Florence, SC, November 12, 2024— With overall trends showing lower numbers of Mass attendees, Catholic parishes seek to better understand how to improve their outreach strategies, particularly leading up to Christmas, one of two times of the year when Americans are most likely to attend church. ACS Technologies, a 45-year leader in church management software, market expertise, and data analysis, gleaned key insights from a recent survey aimed at further investigating why self-identifying Catholics consider “warm and friendly encounters” to... Read more

Prospective Catholic Chaplains Mull Vocation at Retreat

Last updated on: November 7, 2024 at 6:08 pm By William Hemsworth

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BALTIMORE, MD – November 3-9 is National Vocation Awareness week in the U.S. Catholic Church, a weeklong celebration of promoting vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, and consecrated life through prayer and education. What better time to hold a retreat for young men discerning the “vocation within a vocation,” not only to priesthood but military chaplaincy? This past weekend the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS), did just that. Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, J.C.D., hosted a record 30 prospective chaplains (pictured) for its... Read more

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