Mercy, mission go together, pope says
IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By David Agren VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Mercy and mission have a close relationship that calls all Christians to be missionaries who share the joy of the Gospel without trying to force others to believe, Pope Francis said. The joy that comes from conveying God’s love and …
From gangs to God: In Ciudad Juarez, youth express hopes for papal visit
IMAGE: CNS photo/David Maung By David Agren CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico (CNS) — Esteban Alanis, 23, once ran with a local gang known as “Los Parqueros,” which would accost people for their cash and cellphones in a working-class neighborhood of southeast Ciudad Juarez. He called the crimes “easy money,” while gang …
Cincinnati Mayor declares Feb. 5 Tom Otten Day
Though Feb. 5, 2016 passed in much of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati as simply the final day of Catholic Schools Week, at Elder High School and throughout the City of Cincinnati, it was officially Tom Otten Day. Otten, the 19-year principal of Elder High School, is retiring at the end of …
Orthodox say pope-patriarch meeting not an ‘all-clear’ sign
By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Russian Orthodox officials said the planned meeting between Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill of Moscow is not a signal that decades of tension have been resolved, but emphasizes the need to work together on behalf of persecuted Christians in the Middle East. As …
Pope, Russian Orthodox patriarch to meet in Cuba, Vatican announces
IMAGE: CNS photo/Sergei Chirikov, EPA By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — After almost three decades of tense Catholic-Russian Orthodox relations, Pope Francis will meet Patriarch Kirill of Moscow Feb. 12 in Cuba on the pope’s way to Mexico. It will be the first-ever meeting of a pope and Moscow …
Former garbage picker challenges eucharistic congress to help poor
IMAGE: CNS photo/Simone Orendain By CEBU, Philippines (CNS) — Maria Georgia “Maggie” Cogtas of Cebu told of a childhood without playing, only tough work as a garbage picker at dumpsites, construction sites and on the streets. Cogtas, 21, also told more than 12,000 people at the 51st International Eucharistic Congress …
St. Michael principal treks in support of her school
A long walk can clear the mind, help tone the body and, as it turns out, help fund a school. During the week of Thanksgiving, one principal laced up her gym shoes and took steps to raise more than $3,000 for her school. It was part pilgrimage, part adventure and …
CSW Roundup: Music, arts, medicine and sports
As Catholic Schools Week 2016 winds down, here’s a look at some of the news submitted to the CT by area Catholic schools around the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. St. Ignatius Music Program growing, in need of instruments Ta-ta-tam-tam! Music teacher Tasha Grismayer taps a music stand three times. There is …
Grief ministry kit — with eight articles and multiple photos — available
By VATICAN CITY (CNS) — More than 1,000 “missionaries of mercy” from all over the world will receive a special mandate from Pope Francis to preach and teach about God’s mercy, said Archbishop Rino Fisichella. About 700 of the missionaries who were chosen by Pope Francis will be in Rome …
Vast distances create trials and joy for Catholics in mission dioceses
IMAGE: CNS photo/Chaz Muth By Chaz Muth DRIGGS, Idaho (CNS) — Father Adrian Vazquez bolted out of his rectory in St. Anthony on a cold November morning, brushed a thin layer of snow off of his Subaru Outback, started the engine and raced down the road to make the 50-mile …