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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Sister Marjorie Huelsman is all smiles during a visit with Santa at the Maria Joseph Center in Dayton. (Courtesy Photo)
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 …

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 …

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 …

View from the church Dominus Flevit (where Jesus wept) Jerusalem (CT/photo by Greg Hartman)
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 …