By John Stegeman The Catholic Telegraph Lectures are often dry academic affairs, but when a lecture series makes its debut alongside the launching of a brand new academic program — and there’s a cocktail reception — they can be a little more exciting. John Connelly, PhD, the author of the …

Pope Francis has called for an Extraordinary Synod of Bishops in October 2014 on the theme: The Pastoral Challenges of the Family in the Context of Evangelization. The General Secretary of the Synod of Bishops invites consultation on this topic to help with its preparations. A Preparatory Document has been …

Press Release Purcell Marian hosted Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr Monday for a special blessing and dedication of the new James J. Gardner Learning Center, which will serve as home to the school’s Blended Learning classes in mathematics.

USCCB Release WASHINGTON—The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) issued a “Special Message” at the conclusion of their fall General Assembly, November 13, in Baltimore. USCCB regulations regarding statements and publications define a Special Message as a statement, only issued at general meetings, that the general membership considers appropriate in …

Staff Report Cincinnati Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr has asked parishes of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati to consider taking a second collection either this upcoming weekend, Nov. 16-17, or the weekend of Nov. 30–Dec.1 to respond to the devastation wrought by Super Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines and Vietnam. Thousands of …

By John Stegeman The Catholic Telegraph Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr has hired Robert J. Reid, a long-time resident and native of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, as the archdiocese’s new Director of Human Resources, effective Nov. 22. Reid replaces Bill Hancock, who is retiring.

By Dennis Sadowski Catholic News Service BALTIMORE — Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Ky., was elected as president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic bishops by a wide margin. The archbishop, the current USCCB vice president, received 125 votes during the first round of balloting during the fall general …

Staff Report The College of Mount St. Joseph confirmed media reports that two young men killed in a car accident Sunday night were MSJ students. A press release posted on The Mount’s website identified the students as Tyler Stiles, a 22-year-old communications/new media studies major and Michael Tepe, also 22, …

Staff Report Bellarmine Chapel on the campus of Xavier University will host its seventh annual Alternative Gift Fair on Sunday, Nov. 17.

By Eileen Connelly, OSU The Catholic Telegraph When Penny Herr was diagnosed with breast cancer in June, she could easily have felt sorry for herself and questioned God. Instead, the dedicated religion teacher at the Summit Country Day School first thought of her students and turned to her faith for …