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 …
Gay, transgender people deserve pastoral care, pope says
IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT FROM AZERBAIJAN (CNS) — Catholics who are homosexual, confused about their sexuality or convinced they were born in the wrong body deserve the same attentive pastoral care as anyone else, Pope Francis said. Flying back to Rome Oct. 2 after …
Pope sees ‘global war’ against marriage, urges church help for couples
IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden TBILISI, Georgia (CNS) — Pope Francis said a global war against marriage is underway and Catholics must respond by helping couples stay strong and by providing pastoral care to those experiencing difficulty. “Today there is a global war to destroy marriage,” the pope said …
Unity and division: Ecumenical realities on display at papal Mass
IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden TBILISI, Georgia (CNS) — At a papal Mass focused on two female saints, the longing for Christian unity and the painful reality of Christian division were strong undertones. Celebrating Mass Oct. 1, the feast of St. Therese of Lisieux, Pope Francis also praised St. …
With love and regret, pope tells Argentina he can’t visit this year or next
IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Rhina Guidos WASHINGTON (CNS) — In a heartfelt letter to his homeland Sept. 30, Pope Francis told his fellow Argentines that he will not be able to visit this or next year because of obligations in Asia and Africa. “You don’t know how much I would …