Vatican doctrine office encourages single mothers to receive Communion after confession
By Courtney Mares Rome Newsroom, Dec 14, 2023 / 13:50 pm The Vatican’s doctrine office published a letter on Thursday confirming that single mothers can receive Communion after going to confession and urging the need for further “pastoral work” in parts of the world where single mothers might still face harsh …
What Gives You Pause in Your Faith?
I ran two whole miles yesterday. That doesn’t sound like a lot, so let’s call it 10,560 feet; and I ran them all without stopping. This is huge for me, not because I’ve never been the athletic type, but because, by God’s grace, I’m recognizing more frequently my fear of …
A cardinal, an archbishop, and a bishop reveal their vocation stories
By Joe Bukuras CNA Staff, Dec 17, 2023 / 09:00 am Serving at the altar for Venerable Fulton J. Sheen played a major role in one U.S. cardinal’s vocational journey. For another bishop, falling to his knees at the tomb of St. Peter was a pivotal moment. And an archbishop said …
During fundraiser, priest makes ‘longest shot ever by a priest on a playground’
By Francesca Pollio Fenton CNA Staff, Dec 16, 2023 / 08:00 am Father Jarett Konrade, pastor of St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church in Beloit, Kansas, made an impressive basketball shot recently during a fundraiser, landing him on the “Images of the Week” for “EWTN News In Depth.” Two years …
Pope Francis celebrates 87th birthday with children who receive aid from Vatican clinic
By Matthew Santucci Rome Newsroom, Dec 17, 2023 / 13:50 pm Pope Francis celebrated his 87th birthday on Sunday morning ahead of his weekly Angelus by meeting with children and families who are assisted by the Vatican’s Santa Marta Pediatric Dispensary. Addressing the families present — who presented the Holy Father with a …
Two women killed amid Israeli attack at Holy Family Parish in Gaza, Latin Patriarchate says
By Daniel Payne Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Dec 16, 2023 / 15:02 pm Two Christian women were killed on Saturday by an Israeli sniper at the Catholic Holy Family Parish in Gaza, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said on Saturday morning. The patriarchate said in a statement that “around noon” on Dec. 16, a …
How to pray the 300-year-old ‘Christmas novena’
By Katie Yoder Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Dec 15, 2023 / 17:15 pm An Italian priest named Father Charles Vachetta is credited with writing a novena in 1721 to inspire his parishioners during Advent. Today, that novena is known as the “Christmas novena.” The nine-day prayer begins on Dec. 16 and concludes …
Disinterested Giving in Truman Capote’s “A Christmas Memory”
In his January 16, 1980, general audience, Pope St. John Paul II noted that the second creation account in Genesis affirms two essential truths about the human person. The first is that the human is the only creature that God “willed for its own sake.” All other created things are …
Out and About in the Archdiocese for December 2023
1) An Evening with the Priests The Dayton faithful celebrated an evening in October to “get to know” the priest faculty and seminarians at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary & School of Theology. Pictured: L-R seated: Debbie Danis, Justin Hanks, Jack Adam, Carol Adam; L-R: standing: Father Adam Berning, Dr. …
Local bishops: Steubenville-Columbus diocesan merger back in play
By Matt McDonald National Catholic Register, Dec 13, 2023 / 17:25 pm The bishops who lead the dioceses of Columbus and Steubenville in Ohio could present a merger plan to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops as early as June 2024, according to the bishops of both dioceses. It’s not yet …
