Refugees are not a problem, they are a gift, pope says
By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Refugees, often perceived by society as an added cost or a problem, are a gift and a reflection of the face of God, Pope Francis said. People who escape oppression, war, pollution or “the unjust distribution of the planet’s resources are a …
Catholic TV chef has cooked for two popes
For Lidia Bastianich food is about family, making connections and celebrating life. The Emmy-award winning host of “Lidia’s Kitchen,” best selling author and restaurateur has made her mark on the cooking scene, while remaining true to her roots and firm in her faith. Bastianich, an Italian born Catholic, who escaped …
Local Missionaries of Mercy reflect on marching orders from pope
Roughly 800 priests accepted a mission from the Holy Father in January. They became Missionaries of Mercy during the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy, which runs through Nov. 20 of this year. On Ash Wednesday (Feb. 10), the majority of those missionaries gathered in Rome before Pope Francis to be …
Young nun, postulants among hundreds of Ecuador earthquake victims
IMAGE: CNS photo/Henry Romero, Reuters By WASHINGTON (CNS) — Six members of the Servant Sisters of the Home of the Mother, including a young nun from Northern Ireland, are among the dead in the strongest earthquake to strike Ecuador since 1979. Sister Clare Theresa Crockett, 33, of Londonderry, died while …
From nightmare to dream: Syrian refugees thank pope for safety
IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden ROME (CNS) — After less than 48 hours in Rome, “dream” is the word used most often by the six Syrian adults Pope Francis brought back to Italy with him from a refugee camp in Greece. By April 18, the couples — who asked …
Words and deeds can’t be separated, pope tells new priests
IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — What you say and how you live always go hand in hand, building up the church and the people of God, Pope Francis told new priests. “Therefore, may your doctrine be nourishment to the people of God, joy and supporting …
‘We too are living in a time of martyrdom’, Pope tells Scottish seminarians
The world continues to be “hostile to the Gospel,” just as it was four centuries ago when St. John Ogilvie was martyred for his faith in Scotland, but continuing to witness to Christ will change the world, Pope Francis said on Thursday. This was the message of the Holy Father …
Report: Baby girls are being targeted for abortion in the West
The problem of sex-selective abortion is not limited to China and India, but is increasing in communities within Western countries, a new report by the pro-life Charlotte Lozier Institute says. “I think for a long time we’ve been denying that sex-selective abortion happens in the United States,” said Anna Higgins, …
God wants total abandonment, body and soul, to His will
I don’t know how many people are like me. I consider myself a fairly good listener and have always been ready with what I have considered pretty good advice. I certainly have had my fair share of times when I have given bad advice as well, but good or bad, …
Pastoral Council hears upbeat financial report at March meeting
The Archdiocesan Pastoral Council continued to discuss revision of its bylaws and membership parameters at its regular meeting March 5 at the Bartlett Center on the campus of the Athenaeum of Ohio. However, the commission first heard an upbeat report on the archdiocese’s finances from its own oversight committee and …
