Clear and colorful: A common property in unscripted papal preaching
IMAGE: CNS By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The god of Mammon, who is “like a wild animal, trying to clutch me with his talons and enslave me,” and people not open to the Holy Spirit, who “are like swamps that give off foul-smelling gases,” are just a few …
Vatican says 3.2 million pilgrims visited in 2015
IMAGE: CNS photo/Maurizio Brambatti, EPA By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — More than 3.2 million pilgrims visited and attended papal events, liturgies or prayer services at the Vatican in 2015, the Vatican said. The statistics, released Dec. 30, were compiled by the Prefecture of the Papal Household, which …
Pope prays for natural disaster victims in U.S., U.K., Latin America
IMAGE: CNS photo/Kate Munsch, Reuters By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis called on Christians to pray for victims of several natural disasters that have hit parts of the United States, Great Britain and Paraguay. “I invite you to pray for the victims of disasters that in …
Baby Jesus teaches people to let go of ego, be humble, kind, pope says
IMAGE: CNS photo/Max Rossi, Reuters By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Christmas season is a time to learn from baby Jesus to let go of selfishness and be humble and giving as he is, Pope Francis said. In fact, people should take the little figurine of Jesus from …
Archdiocese to celebrate World Day of Peace
The Archdiocese of Cincinnati will celebrate the Catholic Church’s 49th World Day of Peace with two special Masses on Friday, Jan. 1. Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr will preside at 11 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Chains in downtown Cincinnati. Auxiliary Bishop Joseph R. Binzer will preside at …
New Jersey bishops urge greater care for immigrants, refugees, poor
IMAGE: CNS/Reuters By TRENTON, N.J. (CNS) — New Jersey’s Catholic bishops called on people of faith and “of goodwill” to “go beyond their comfort zone” and renew their commitment to caring for immigrants, refugees and the poor. Expressing concern that the newcomers to the United States have been largely overlooked …
Observers say Chinese government-religious relations worsened in 2015
IMAGE: CNS photo/Wu Hong, EPA By HONG KONG (CNS) — When Chinese Minister of Housing Chen Zhenggao traveled to bustling Yiwu in mid-October, news reports said he told housing and law enforcement officials to “battle against illegal constructions” by learning from Zhejiang. Zhejiang has used the pretext of illegal building …
In Israeli cities, Jews show an increase in interest in Christmas
IMAGE: CNS photo/Debbie Hill By Judith Sudilovsky JERUSALEM (CNS) — On Christmas Eve, the entrance to the West Jerusalem YMCA was decked out in colorful lights against the night sky, and a Christmas tree sparkling with ornaments stood in the lobby. Jewish Israelis and international visitors, guests at the YMCA’s …
Ministry in Virginia provides free laundry services for the less fortunate
By Zoey Di Mauro BURKE, Va. (CNS) — Mary Susan Burnett-Miller was reading a magazine in a laundromat while on vacation in July when she read about the desires of a homeless man named T-Bone. The story she was reading originated in Ventura, California, where years earlier a group of …
Families must open home to God or selfishness will reign, pope says
IMAGE: CNS photo/Ettore Ferrari, EPA By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Families need to open their doors to God and his love or they will harbor an individualism that endangers peace and joy, Pope Francis said on the feast of the Holy Family. Recognizing and encouraging the importance of …