In Caribbean Colombia, Jesuits try to continue legacy of St. Peter Claver
IMAGE: CNS photo/David Agren By David Agren CARTAGENA, Colombia (CNS) — Outside St. Peter Claver Parish in this colonial city on the Caribbean coast, Afro-Colombian women in colorful attire sell chopped fruit to tourists. Once tourists pay for papaya and pineapple, some ask for photos, which the women oblige, placing …
Be brave in finding new ways to live, share the faith, pope says
IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden MEDELLIN, Colombia (CNS) — In a city many think of as being synonymous with new directions for the Catholic Church, Pope Francis told Colombian Catholics faith is not measured by how well they follow rules, but by the depth of their prayer life and …
Pope amends church law on Mass translations, highlights bishops’ role
IMAGE: CNS/Nancy Phelan Wiechec By Cindy Wooden MEDELLIN, Colombia (CNS) — In changes to the Code of Canon Law regarding translations of the Mass and other liturgical texts, Pope Francis highlighted respect for the responsibility of national and regional bishops’ conferences. The changes, released by the Vatican Sept. 9 as …
Annual Red Mass Celebrated at St. Xavier Church in Cincinnati
Lawyers and judges from both sides of the Ohio River gathered on the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary for the the 19th annual Red Mass. Held every year in the Queen City until 1965, it was revived by a determined group of lawyers and judges. Sponsored by …
On ‘sacred ground’ of suffering, pope prays for reconciliation
By Cindy Wooden VILLAVICENCIO, Colombia (CNS) — In a raw, honest prayer service where victims and perpetrators of violence stood under the gaze of a bomb-damaged crucifix, Pope Francis urged Colombians to summon the courage to make peace. Symbolically presiding over the event Sept. 8 was what remained of a …
Catholic Charities USA, K of C give millions for hurricane relief
IMAGE: CNS photo/courtesy Catholic Charities By SAN ANTONIO (CNS) — Catholic Charities USA presented a $2 million check Sept. 4 representing donations received to date for immediate emergency assistance for those impacted by Hurricane Harvey and its catastrophic flooding. One hundred percent of the funds raised will go directly to …
Be the first to take a step for peace, pope says at Mass with victims
By Cindy Wooden VILLAVICENCIO, Colombia (CNS) — If just one victim of Colombia’s civil war forgives his or her aggressor, it can set off a chain reaction of hope for reconciliation and peace, Pope Francis said. Celebrating Mass Sept. 8 in Villavicencio, a city filled with those who fled their …
Holy Land Reflections: Thoughts from a high school campus minister
Chris Winiarski, Director of Campus Ministry, Mission and Formation for La Salle High School, was one of 48 pilgrims on a summer trip to the Holy Land coordinated by School of Faith. A ministry that connects teachers and principals from Catholic schools with the literal roots of the faith, School …
Defend life, equality, unity, pope tells Colombians
IMAGE: CNS photo/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden BOGOTA, Colombia (CNS) — Consolidating peace in Colombia will mean overcoming “the darkness” of inequality and a lack of respect for human life, Pope Francis said. “Here, as in other places, there is a thick darkness which threatens and destroys life,” the pope …
In TV interview, Steve Bannon slams church, bishops over immigration
IMAGE: CNS photo/Joshua Roberts, Reuters By Rhina Guidos WASHINGTON (CNS) — In an interview set to air Sept. 10 on the CBS TV program “60 Minutes,” former White House strategist Steve Bannon criticized the Catholic Church and U.S. bishops for their views on immigration, saying “they need illegal aliens to …