A Mass of Christian Burial for Sister of St. Francis Sister Catherine Raters was celebrated Oct. 9 in the motherhouse chapel in Oldenburg, Ind.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Father Francis “Frank” Niehaus was celebrated Sept. 28 at Good Shepherd Church in Montgomery.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Father William Kennedy was celebrated Sept. 24 at St. Mary Church in Hyde Park.

Dear Father: Is it okay for someone to have umbilical blood saved from a live birth to use in stem cell research or attempts to find a cure for diseases like MS? Dear Reader: The answer to your question is “yes.”

Report Prayer is powerful. Pope Francis and Caritas Internationalis, along with Catholic Charities USA and Catholic Relief Services, later this month are launching a prayer offensive against world hunger. Archbishop of Cincinnati Dennis M. Schnurr strongly supports this initiative. Here is his statement:

By John Stegeman The Catholic Telegraph Some retail outlets began playing Christmas music this year the day after Halloween to remind customers that the shopping days before Christmas were dwindling. Time is running out, they say, to get great last-minute deals on this year’s Tickle-Me-Elmo, ZhuZhu Pet or whatever fad …

Catholic News Service WASHINGTON  — The U.S. Supreme Court agreed Nov. 26 to take up two cases that challenge provisions of the Affordable Care Act requiring employers to provide contraceptive coverage on behalf of for-profit companies whose owners object to the mandate for religious reasons. Probably in March, the court …

Staff Report The Catholic Telegraph is seeking input from readers in selecting our top 10 stories of 2013. With the help of website analytics and staff consultation, The Catholic Telegraph was able to select 10 of the biggest stories that appeared in print or on the website in the past …

By Francis X. Rocca Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — In his first extensive piece of writing as pope, Pope Francis lays out a vision of the Catholic Church dedicated to evangelization in a positive key, with a focus on society’s poorest and most vulnerable, including the aged and unborn. …

Staff Report As a monthly publication, the December issue of The Catholic Telegraph serves both as an Advent and Christmas edition of the paper. With that in mind, readers will find a seven-page Advent & Christmas section.