Franciscan Sister Postulant Tricia Oswald
One of the Franciscan Sisters’ of Christian Charity newest postulants is Tricia Oswald from Ohio. Recently, along with postulant, Megan Kugel, she answered questions from discerning women about her Franciscan calling, and the charism of her new congregation. What was it about the Franciscan Sisters that drew you? “What drew …
Pope: Church’s mission is to attract people to Christ, not proselytize
IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Christians are called to follow the example of St. Therese of Lisieux, who helped draw people to Jesus by way of attraction, not by proselytizing, Pope Francis said. She was a reminder that an authentic witness is proclaimed through …
Hurricane Matthew tears through Haiti as aid workers prepare to respond
IMAGE: CNS photo/Alejandro Ernesto, EPA By Dennis Sadowski WASHINGTON (CNS) — Wind-whipped rains from Hurricane Matthew shattered Haiti’s southwest peninsula, downing trees, ripping open makeshift wooden homes and causing widespread flooding Oct. 4 as aid workers waited for the storm to subside before mobilizing. The city of Les Cayes and …
Pope visits towns in central Italy devastated by earthquake
IMAGE: CNS/L’Osservatore Romano By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Amid the devastation wrought by an earthquake in central Italy, Pope Francis quietly prayed and offered words of consolation to survivors and those assisting in relief efforts. Later, when crowds pressed around him, the pope used a megaphone to …
Sister of Mercy takes first vows in New Orleans
Sister Phuong Mai Dong made her first profession of vows as a Sister of Mercy on Aug. 6 at Loyola University’s Ignatius Chapel in New Orleans with about 100 sisters, family members and friends attending. The ceremony took place in both English and Vietnamese, including a song presented by Sisters …
Use of death penalty re-examined in the states, at Supreme Court
IMAGE: CNS photo/Shawn Thew, EPA By Carol Zimmermann WASHINGTON (CNS) — The United States, with its mixed record on the death penalty, is about to take a closer look at the issue this fall with two cases before the Supreme Court and three referendums on state ballots in the November …
Father Andrew Menke Named Executive Director of USCCB Divine Worship Secretariat
USCCB Press Release WASHINGTON—Father Andrew V. Menke has been appointed executive director of the Secretariat of Divine Worship for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). The appointment is effective January 1, 2017. Father Menke, 43, is a priest of the diocese of Lincoln, Nebraska and has served as associate …
Record Class of 75 at Mount St. Mary’s
By Gail Deibler Finke Mount St. Mary’s Seminary of the West began the academic year with 75 seminarians, its largest class in 35 years. Father Benedict O’Cinnsealaigh, the seminary’s rector, said that while many of the men come from high schools or colleges, others come from a wide variety of professions. Some …
Justice, mercy are twin virtues for the law, Red Mass homilist says
IMAGE: CNS photo/Jaclyn Lippelmann, Catholic Standard By Mark Zimmermann WASHINGTON (CNS) — Those involved in the administration of law should seek justice and mercy in their work, Archbishop Bernard A. Hebda of St. Paul and Minneapolis said Oct. 2. “Those two virtues must intersect in our lives and actions,” said …
When political choice is tough, pray and vote your conscience, pope says
IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT FROM AZERBAIJAN (CNS) — Catholics facing difficult political choices must study the issues, pray about the election and then vote according to their consciences, Pope Francis said. Flying back to Rome from Azerbaijan Oct. 2, the pope was asked by …