Seasons’ Greetings and Christian Discernment

Each year we hear the perennial objections of those who lament hearing the salutation, “Season’s Greetings” instead of “Merry Christmas.” The common complaint, of course, is that this season is about the birth of the Christ, the savior of humankind. Thus, the reasoning goes, recourse to the general reference of …
Pope appoints two new auxiliary bishops to Archdiocese of Washington

By Peter Pinedo Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Dec 19, 2022 / 11:45 am Pope Francis has appointed Monsignor Juan Esposito-Garcia and Father Evelio Menjivar-Ayala as auxiliary bishops of the Archdiocese of Washington, the apostolic nuncio to the United States, Archbishop Christophe Pierre, announced today. As auxiliary bishops of the Archdiocese of Washington, …
When Children Leave the Faith

Our children received the sacraments and attended Catholic schools, but they no longer attend Mass and do not appear to be practicing the faith. Where did we go wrong as parents? It is natural to be concerned for others’ spiritual well-being, especially our loved ones. We desire for them to …
Priests for Life’s Frank Pavone: ‘The next pope can reinstate me’ to the priesthood

By Jonah McKeown, Shannon Mullen Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Dec 19, 2022 / 17:05 pm Pro-life activist Frank Pavone on Monday defiantly asserted that the Vatican’s decree removing him from the priesthood is not final, saying “the next pope can reinstate me.” “This idea that any of this is permanent in terms of …
Canon lawyer on Father Pavone’s dismissal from priesthood: Only the Pope can issue a decision without appeal

By Shannon Mullen, Kelsey Wicks CNA Newsroom, Dec 18, 2022 / 19:20 pm On Nov. 9, Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung Sik, prefect for the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Clergy, dismissed Father Frank Pavone from the priesthood for “blasphemous communications on social media” and “persistent disobedience of lawful instructions of his diocesan bishop.” The decree, …
Pope Francis: Resignation already signed ‘in case of medical impediment’

By Eduardo Berdejo Bogotá, Colombia, Dec 17, 2022 / 20:45 pm Pope Francis said that in case of not being able to continue governing the Catholic Church due to an impediment to his health, he has already signed his resignation and has given it to one of the Vatican cardinals. During …
A pro-life novena to the Holy Innocents who died for Baby Jesus

by Katie Yoder Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Dec 19, 2022 / 01:00 am A pro-life novena invites the faithful to ask for the intercession of the Holy Innocents — the baby boys who are, today, recognized as the first martyrs and as pro-life patron saints. While they did not know Jesus, they …
Obituary: Deacon William “Bill” Petrie

Deacon William “Bill” Petrie, a Deacon of the Archdiocese, died on Saturday, November 5, 2022 at the age of 100. Deacon Bill was ordained by Archbishop Joseph Bernardin for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati on September 26, 1976. He was among the very first cohort of permanent deacons ordained for the …
Update: Frank Pavone cancels Mass but vows legal action after Vatican dismisses him from priesthood

By Zelda Caldwell, Katie Yoder Washington D.C., Dec 18, 2022 / 11:29 am The national director of Priests for Life, Frank Pavone, canceled a scheduled live-streamed Mass today, one day after CNA published a report that he was continuing to celebrate Mass after the Vatican had removed him from the priesthood. In …
How to pray the ‘Christmas Novena’ that’s been said for 300 years

by Katie Yoder Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Dec 15, 2022 / 17:00 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 …