Pope Francis’s Prayer intentions for April For young people That young people may respond generously to their vocations and seriously consider offering themselves to God in the priesthood or consecrated life.  

Father William Thomas A Mass of Christian Burial for Father William V. Thomas was celebrated Feb. 17 at St. Henry Church, Dayton. Father Thomas, 83, died Feb. 13. A Dayton native, he received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Dayton in 1955. He earned a master’s degree in philosophy …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Carlos Barria, Reuters By WASHINGTON (CNS) — Now that lawmakers have withdrawn the American Health Care Act, Congress must “seize this moment to create a new spirit of bipartisanship” and make “necessary reforms” in existing health care law to address access, affordability, life and conscience, said three U.S. …

IMAGE: CNS photo/L’Osservatore Romano By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis returned to a practice he developed during the Year of Mercy: making a Friday-afternoon visit to people in need of or deserving special care. For the visit March 31, he chose the Sant’ Alessio-Margherita di Savoia Regional …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Tyler Orsburn By Dennis Sadowski WASHINGTON (CNS) — Four years ago, Ted Bergh was asking members of Congress to support food programs and comprehensive immigration reform, issues of deep concern to Catholic Charities of Southwestern Ohio, which he serves as CEO. Bergh was back on Capitol Hill March …

By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Serious research on Martin Luther can help heal relations between Catholics and Protestants, highlight what was legitimate about the Reformation and pinpoint the errors and sins that led to the division of the church, Pope Francis said. “Today, as Christians, all of us …

Students at Badin High School in Hamilton hosted the annual Grandparents Day

By Eileen Connelly,OSU For Mercy and McAuley high schools, the focus is on the future. The Sisters of Mercy announced a merger between the two all-girls schools at a March 2 press conference. Both will maintain current operations for the remainder of this and next academic year. Then, in the …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Rhina Guidos By Rhina Guidos WASHINGTON (CNS) – The history of women and men religious in the United States is the history of American Catholicism and their archives reflect the rich role many played in weaving the fabric of the U.S. church, said a group of historians, scholars …

IMAGE: CNS/Bob Roller By VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Vatican hopes that U.S. bishops and others will continue to raise their voices in defense of the obligation to fight climate change and, in time, can persuade U.S. President Donald Trump to change his position, a top Vatican official said. Cardinal …