Amazing Parish strengthens, energizes faith communities
Parish teams and Catholic leaders from across the country, including the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, gathered in Atlanta March 13 to 15 to learn how parishes can become healthier. Nearly 1,100 people attended the conference offered by the Denver-based organization, Amazing Parish, and featuring Mass and prayer, team sessions, presentations and …
Vatican bank reports $40 million profit in 2016
By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Institute for the Works of Religion, often referred to as the Vatican bank, made a profit of 36 million euros (about $40 million) in 2016, according to its annual report. The institute held assets worth 5.7 billion euros at year’s end, which …
Catholic congressman returns from South Sudan, aims to fight famine
IMAGE: CNS photo/Helen Manson, U.S. Embassy in Uganda By Carolyn Mackenzie WASHINGTON (CNS) — A Catholic congressman fresh from a fact-finding trip to East Africa, conscious of the human rights concerns brought on by famine and military violence, aims to increase funding for affected areas and urge reappointment of a …
Vatican: Failure to protect child migrants an insult to human dignity
By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Too often, national and international policies leave migrant children at the mercy of traffickers and sexual predators and are signs of a widespread failure to protect the innocent, a Vatican official said. In addition, policies that involve criminalizing and detaining child migrants …
Pope, Italian president talk migrants, environment, jobs
IMAGE: CNS photo/L’Osservatore Romano By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Generosity, hard work, solidarity and a recognition of the dignity of the human person are essential for facing the major challenges posed by natural disasters, a large influx of migrants and a crisis in creating jobs, especially for young …
Pope tells Nigerian priests accept bishop or be suspended
By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis is giving priests belonging to the Diocese of Ahiara, Nigeria, 30 days to write a letter promising obedience to him and accepting the bishop appointed for their diocese or they will be suspended. The papal text in English was posted June …
Vocare: Online catechesis training begins in late June
The new online certification process for catechists announced by Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr in February will launch at the end of June. “Vocare: Called to teach,” will be a blended learning environment combining in-person and online classes. The result of 18 months of strategic re-visioning, it was created in response …
Three Glenmary novices make First Oaths
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Three men made their First Oath and became members of Glenmary Home Missioners during Mass June 8 at Glenmary’s annual Assembly in Charleston, W.Va. Jose Carlos Miguel Lopez, Samuel Mungai and Kenneth Wandera each recited and signed the Glenmary Oath, promising for a period of one year …
Square Peg: Be who you are and be that very well
Have you ever been a square peg? As I examine my own life, I can see those times when I decided to ignore God’s “round hole” vision for life and force my “square peg” self into God’s plans. It seems, we want to impose our version of reality on God’s …
Indiana convocation delegate takes evangelization cues from Pope Francis
IMAGE: CNS photo/Cindy Black By Carol Zimmermann WASHINGTON (CNS) — Cindy Black’s copy of “Evangelii Gaudium” — Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation on the church’s mission to evangelize the modern world — is worn from use, marked up and with notes in it. Black, executive director of Redeemer Radio, a Catholic …