Christmas reminds us of hope for the future, pope says
IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The birth of Christ is a reminder for Christians to take a moment and reflect on the hope of salvation given by God to the world, Pope Francis said. Those who are humble and poor like the shepherds come …
Catholic Charities of Southwest Ohio has tips for overcoming depression

The Christmas Season is supposed to be a time of joy and celebration, but for some people they are anything but. Depression may occur at any time of the year, but the stress and anxiety during the months of November and December may cause even those who are usually content …
Sainthood cause formally opened for former slave who served Denver’s poor
IMAGE: CNS photo/iconographer Vivian Imbruglia, courtesy Archdiocese of Denver By DENVER (CNS) — Denver Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila Dec. 18 formally opened the sainthood cause of Julia Greeley, a former slave who spent her days caring for the poor, during a Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception …
USCCB president urges Catholics to give gift of themselves in New Year
IMAGE: CNS/Karen Callaway, Catholic New World By WASHINGTON (CNS) — In his message for Christmas, Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, encouraged Catholics to visit the manger this Christmas and reflect on how to give of themselves in the New Year. “My …
Pope denounces ‘homicidal madness’ after attacks in Berlin, Ankara
IMAGE: CNS photo/Fabrizio Bensch, Reuters By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Expressing his condolences to victims and their families, Pope Francis called for an end to terrorism following a string of deadly attacks in Berlin and Ankara. Similar to an attack with a truck that took place in …
Pope names first woman to head Vatican Museums
IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis has chosen, for the first time, a woman to head the Vatican Museums. Barbara Jatta, 54, is an Italian art historian and graphic arts expert, who had been serving as vice-director of the museums since June. The Vatican …
Knights bring Christmas joy to Precious Blood Sisters for 40 years

DAYTON – (Dec. 20, 2016) – As he makes his rounds each December, Santa never forgets the Precious Blood Sisters at the Maria Joseph Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Dayton. On the Saturday before Christmas, Santa and several of his elves roam the third floor of the center’s Emma Hall …
CRS board chair wants to share agency’s work more widely among Catholics
IMAGE: CNS photo/Tyler Orsburn By Dennis Sadowski WASHINGTON (CNS) — The humanitarian work of Catholic Relief Services and its partner agencies directed toward refugees in the Middle East deserves far more attention than it has received and Maronite Bishop Gregory J. Mansour says it’s time Catholics in the pew know …
Political divides now seen in ‘Merry Christmas’ vs. ‘Happy Holidays’
By Mark Pattison WASHINGTON (CNS) — What’s in a name? Plenty, apparently depending on your political persuasion. A report issued Dec. 19 by the Public Religion Research Institute indicates that Democrats and Republicans differ even on what they want cash-register clerks to say in December. Asked, “Do you think stores …
Jerusalem archbishop: Mideast Christians suffer but keep faith strong

IMAGE: CNS photo/Debbie Hill By Judith Sudilovsky JERUSALEM (CNS) — Except for specific incidents in Egypt and one in Libya, Christians in the Middle East are suffering the same fate as their fellow citizens, Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa, apostolic administrator of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, told media in response to …