Notre Dame mandates COVID booster shots for all students

by Christine Rousselle South Bend, Ind., Dec 8, 2021 / 15:01 pm The University of Notre Dame will require all its students to receive a COVID-19 vaccine booster in order to attend classes on or off campus, the school announced on Monday, Dec. 6. Students received an email announcing the …
Pope Francis: Sagrada Familia’s new star shines for Barcelona’s poor, ill, elderly, and young people

by CNA Staff Barcelona, Spain, Dec 8, 2021 / 12:00 pm Pope Francis said that a star lit up for the first time on Wednesday atop Sagrada Família Basilica shines for the poor, ill, elderly, and young people of Barcelona. The 12-pointed star at the peak of the basilica’s soaring …
Synod 2021 2023 For a Synodal Church Communion Participation Mission

THE SYNOD ON SYNODALITY’S GOAL & PURPOSE In last month’s Catholic Telegraph, Father Earl Fernandes wrote about synodality as it pertains to Beacons of Light. Synodality means walking together as a community on the pilgrim journey that we live on earth. By virtue of our baptism, we are all called …
December 9 – Saint Juan Diego

On Dec. 9, Roman Catholics celebrate St. Juan Diego, the indigenous Mexican Catholic convert whose encounter with the Virgin Mary began the Church’s devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe. In 1474, 50 years before receiving the name Juan Diego at his baptism, a boy named Cuauhtlatoatzin — “singing eagle” — …
Knights of Columbus release St Joseph documentary online

by Joe Bukuras Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Dec 8, 2021 / 06:01 am Inspired by Pope Francis’ declaration of the Year of St. Joseph, the Knights of Columbus have released a documentary on the Head of the Holy Family, which can now be accessed for free on their website. The 60-minute documentary …
5 facts to know about the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

by Joe Bukuras Washington D.C., Dec 8, 2021 / 10:37 am The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is the largest Roman Catholic Church in the United States. Located in Washington D.C., the Minor basilica is one of the ten largest churches in the world. Here are …
Pope Francis hails ‘the beauty of Mary’s heart’ on Immaculate Conception feast

by CNA Staff Vatican City, Dec 8, 2021 / 05:45 am Pope Francis highlighted “the beauty of Mary’s heart” in his Angelus address on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. The pope said on Dec. 8 that the Blessed Virgin Mary’s encounter with the Angel Gabriel, described in St. Luke’s Gospel, revealed …
Advent Calendar 2021

Friday, November 26 – Saturday, December 25 Franciscan Christmas 2021 St. Francis Seraph Courtyard, Liberty & Vine Sts., Cincinnati 45202 This year the displays of A Franciscan Christmas are coming back to the church and friary. The nativities from around the world will be displayed in church in the alcoves …
Pope Francis to youth in Greece: Don’t be ‘prisoners of the cell phone’

by CNA Staff Athens, Greece, Dec 6, 2021 / 04:20 am Pope Francis urged young people in Athens on Monday not to be “prisoners of the cell phone,” but to truly share their lives with others. Speaking in a school sports hall in a suburb of the Greek capital on …
Christmas Tree Blessing

When all have gathered, a suitable song may be sung. The leader makes the sign of the cross, and all reply “Amen.” The leader may greet those present in the following words: Let us glorify Christ our light, who brings salvation and peace into our midst, now and forever. R/. …