IMAGE: CNS photo/Tyler Orsburn By Mark Pattison WASHINGTON (CNS) — For Roger and Marguerite Sullivan of Washington, Christmas really is the most wonderful time of the year. Thanks to their travels throughout the world over the past 40 years — he for the World Bank, she for the State Department …

By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The people who work at the Vatican and in the Roman Curia are supposed to be “sensitive antennas” that faithfully transmit the desires of the pope and receive information from dioceses and Eastern Catholic churches around the world, Pope Francis said. Remembering that …

By Dennis Sadowski WASHINGTON (CNS) — Republican lawmakers joined President Donald Trump in cheering passage of the most significant overhaul of the federal tax system in three decades even as the chairman of the U.S. bishops’ domestic policy committee called on the president to work with Congress to fix “unacceptable …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Darrin Zammit Lupi, Reuters By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Foreign trips, a focus on the rights and needs of migrants and refugees and a Synod of Bishops dedicated to young people all are on the 2018 calendar for Pope Francis. His activities and the passions that …

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Cardinal Bernard F. Law, who had been one of the United States’ most powerful and respected bishops until his legacy was blemished by the devastating sexual abuse of minors by priests in his Archdiocese of Boston, died early Dec. 20 in Rome …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Francois Gloutnay, Presence By Francois Gloutnay MONTREAL (CNS) — For sculptor Sylvette Chanel, Advent is the busiest time of the year. She is among the few people left who keeps alive the ancient New France craft of making and repairing wax Jesus figures for Nativity scenes. This art …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Family Theater Product By VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis advanced the sainthood causes of Holy Cross Father Patrick Peyton and St. John Paul II’s mentor, Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski. The pope approved the decrees recognizing their heroic virtues during an audience Dec. 18 with Cardinal Angelo Amato, prefect …

By VATICAN CITY (CNS) — A Nativity scene and Christmas tree, like those displayed in St. Peter’s Square, are visible reminders of God’s benevolence and closeness to all men and women, Pope Francis said. The traditional Christmas displays are “the signs of the heavenly Father’s compassion, of his participation and …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Ruby Thomas, The Record By Ruby Thomas and Jessica Able SPRINGFIELD, Ky. (CNS) — In response to Pope Francis’ call for Catholics to “Share the Journey” of their lives with one another under a two-year program introduced in September, the following stories relate the experiences and hopes of …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Jessica Able, The Record By Ruby Thomas and Jessica Able SPRINGFIELD, Ky. (CNS) — Holding the Lectionary high, Mirna Lozano processed into St. Dominic Church in late October during the parish’s first young adult Mass, which she organized with the help of her father, Rodrigo. The father-daughter duo …