IN ISRAELI CITIES, JEWS SHOW AN INCREASE IN INTEREST IN CHRISTMAS
JERUSALEM (CNS) — On Christmas Eve, the entrance to the West Jerusalem YMCA was decked out in colorful lights against the night sky, and a Christmas tree sparkling with ornaments stood in the lobby....
View ArticleMINISTRY IN VIRGINIA PROVIDES FREE LAUNDRY SERVICES FOR THE LESS FORTUNATE
BURKE, Va. (CNS) — Mary Susan Burnett-Miller was reading a magazine in a laundromat while on vacation in July when she read about the desires of a homeless man named T-Bone. The story she was reading...
View ArticleFOR ONE YOUNG CATHOLIC, MUSIC IS AN APOSTOLATE OF BEAUTY
Ann Arbor, Mich., Dec 29, 2015 / 03:55 pm (CNA) – An up-and-coming Catholic musician in Michigan aims to expose listeners to God in the same way she did during her school years – through beauty found...
View ArticleWHITE HOUSE STRIVES TO CLEAR UP MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT RELIGION
WASHINGTON (CNS) – People who attended a recent forum sponsored by the White House ignored the old adage not to speak about religion or politics in public. They were members of a variety of faiths, or...
View ArticleSINGING DOES GOOD FOR THE SOUL, POPE TELLS YOUNG CHORISTERS
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Singing is good for one’s soul and, as St. Augustine says, Christian life is not a sad path but a joyous one that is done “singing and walking,” Pope Francis said. “Remember this:...
View ArticleMERCY ENLIGHTENS PAST YEAR, GIVES HOPE FOR NEW YEAR, POPE SAYS
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The gift of mercy is a light that helps Christians reflect on the past year and radiates hope at the start of the new year, Pope Francis said. While retracing the events of 2015...
View ArticleST. LOUIS AREA PARISHES RESPOND TO VICTIMS OF RECORD DECEMBER FLOODING
VALLEY PARK, Mo. (CNS) — At about 8:30 on a chilly morning Dec. 30, Mickey Downing of the Valley Park Fire District went house to house in lower Valley Park, knocked on doors and asked people to...
View ArticleFEDERAL JUDGE SAYS STATE CAN CUT CONTRACT WITH PLANNED PARENTHOOD
SALT LAKE CITY (CNS) — A federal judge said the state of Utah can end its contract with Planned Parenthood, which is paid for with federal funds. U.S. District Judge Clark Waddoups issued the order...
View ArticlePOST-HOLIDAY LETDOWN BRINGS OPPORTUNITY FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH
January can be a drag, a real letdown. The remaining Christmas cookies are stale crumbs and the tree, once so respected, has been ingloriously dragged out of the house to be recycled into mulch. One by...
View ArticleGOD’S MERCY KNOWS ‘NO LIMITS,’ FREES PEOPLE FROM DESPAIR, POPE SAYS
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — God’s ability to forgive “knows no limits” as his mercy frees people from bitterness and despair, Pope Francis said. “The church’s forgiveness must be every bit as broad as that...
View ArticleMEET MATER DEI’S BEN MARTIN
“I got my interest in the sport because of my dad,” says Martin. “He was interested in the sport, and what little kid doesn’t want to be like his dad?” More than just interested in the sport, Martin’s...
View ArticleOC DIOCESE LAUNCHES YEAR OF MERCY MICROSITE
“The year of mercy is a declaration by Pope Francis that we should pay attention to this characteristic of God – that God is merciful all the time, but this year we’re going to pay particular attention...
View ArticleMORE THAN 400,000 HAVE PASSED THROUGH HOLY DOOR AT ST. PETER’S BASILICA
The Vatican reports that since the Holy Door was opened by Pope Francis on Dec. 8 the start of the Jubilee Year of Mercy, hundreds of thousands have passed the threshold of the Holy Door. Thousands...
View ArticleANGELS ARE AMBASSADORS OF GOD, SAYS POPE
They aren’t human, yet they aren’t divine. They are angels. The Church contends they have key roles in history, such as with the Christmas story. In the Bible, often angels reveal the secrets of God....
View ArticleFIRST PHASE OF RENOVATION OF CHRIST CATHEDRAL BEGINS WITH A BLESSING
Dozens gathered recently at the entrance to Christ Cathedral for a very special blessing. Bishop Kevin Vann blessed the construction crew, their equipment and the glass panels with holy water just as...
View ArticleLITTLE, BRITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM
Christmas in Bethlehem is a study in opposites: security checkpoints manned by armed soldiers and threats of violence amid glowing, upbeat celebrations signaling the anniversary of the birth of Christ....
View ArticleNEW YORK CHURCH CHOIR PRODUCES CD TO COUNTER SECULAR SPIN ON THE SEASON
RYE, N.Y. (CNS) — The secular world ignores Advent, begins celebrating Christmas the day after Halloween and packs up the holiday before the New Year, Paul J. Murray said. The director of music at a...
View ArticleWORKING FOR IT
Through the first 11 games this season the former Mater Dei basketball star and Trinity League most valuable player was leading USC in scoring for a second straight year. Reinhardt gained national...
View ArticleMEET DEACON JOE & BARBARA ESPARZA
YEARS MARRIED: 44 CHILDREN: 1 GRANDCHILDREN: 1 YEARS IN THE DIACONATE: 16 HOW THEY MET: Through Barbara’s brother WHAT THEY DO FOR FUN: Movies, dinners, friends HOW HE WAS CALLED TO THE DIACONATE: By...
View ArticleOC STUDENTS SANG FOR POPE FRANCIS ON RECENT TRIP TO ROME
More than 1,000 young people from the U.S. joined thousands more from around the world to attend the 40th International Congress of Pueri Cantores in Rome Dec. 26 through Jan. 2. A highlight of the...
View Article