Five years later: How some parishes are thriving after weathering COVID lockdowns
By Jonah McKeown CNA Staff, Mar 15, 2025 / 06:00 am Five years ago this week, public health orders issued amid the uncertainty of the novel coronavirus turned Mass schedules across the country and the world upside down. In those early days following the WHO’s March 11, 2020, declaration of COVID-19 …
Zelenskyy delivers list of POWs in Russia to the Vatican to mediate their release
By Victoria Cardiel Vatican City, Mar 14, 2025 / 16:10 pm Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has provided the Vatican with a list of names of Ukrainians detained by the Russian military, requesting diplomatic mediation to secure their release. “The Holy See has received a list of Ukrainians being held in Russian …
Former Catholic Relief Services head speaks out amid funding freeze
By Madalaine Elhabbal Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Mar 15, 2025 / 11:30 am Former president and CEO of Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Carolyn Woo is speaking out in defense of the aid organization amid Trump administration funding cuts to its services internationally. “International aid was started at first for the benefit of the U.S. …
March 17: St. Patrick of Ireland
On March 17, Catholics celebrate St. Patrick, the fifth century bishop and patron of Ireland, whose life of holiness set the example for many of the Church’s future saints. St. Patrick is said to have been born around 389 AD in Britain. Captured by Irish raiders when he was about …
Celebrating St. Patrick’s day during Lent
Anchorage, Alaska, Mar 16, 2009 / 06:24 am On Mar. 17, the Catholic Church especially honors St. Patrick – Catholic bishop, “Apostle of Ireland” and one of the most well-loved and celebrated saints of all time. From special Masses to parades, the world rejoices on St. Patrick’s day. In an …
Friday Update: Pope Francis’ condition remains stable as recovery progresses
Given the Holy Father’s stable condition, doctors have not issued a medical bulletin on Friday evening. Noting that this is a “a positive sign” the Holy See Press Office thus informs that medical updates will be less frequent. Vatican News 3/14/2025 4:00 p.m. There are no significant developments in the …
McDonald’s Filet-o-Fish history tied to Cincinnati Catholics
Staff Report Lent is a penitential season for Catholics preparing to mark the observance of Christ’s death on the cross, and on Easter his resurrection from the dead. For business owners, Lent is just part of the first financial quarter. For today’s Throwback Thursday, we go back to the late-1950s …
Stations of the Cross
What are the origins of the Stations of the Cross? When were they first placed in churches? The Stations of the Cross, also known as the Way of the Cross and the Via Crucis, is a Christian devotional practice that commemorates the events of Good Friday, specifically Jesus’ journey from …
Thursday Update: Pope celebrates 12th anniversary with healthcare staff at Gemelli hospital
Pope Francis celebrates the 12th anniversary of his pontificate with the medical staff of Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, as he continues to follow the annual Spiritual Exercises of the Roman Curia. By Vatican News 3/13/2025 2:30 p.m. The Holy See Press Office updated reporters on the Pope’s condition on Thursday evening, …
Cardinal Koch: ‘Suffering of illness’ a great challenge for aging Pope Francis
By Kristina Millare Vatican City, Mar 12, 2025 / 13:20 pm Cardinal Kurt Koch, prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, reflected Tuesday on the great challenge of illness and suffering for Pope Francis as he approaches a month’s hospital stay amid a series of health crises. Before leading …
