What is Advent, anyway? A CNA Explainer
by JD Flynn Denver, Colo., Nov 30, 2020 / 11:35 am MT (CNA).- Advent began this year on Sunday, Nov. 30. Most Catholics, even those who don’t often go to Mass, know that Advent involves a wreath with some candles, possibly a “calendar” of hidden chocolates, and untangling strings of …
How to bless your Advent wreath at home
The Advent wreath is made of four candles and a circle of branches. Before the first candle is lighted, the household gathers for this blessing. The blessing of an Advent Wreath takes place on the First Sunday of Advent or on the evening before the First Sunday of Advent. When …
Already Hungry for Jesus
As a worship leader, there’s no better moment than when the people I’m leading sing out so loudly that we don’t need the microphone. As a youth evangelist, there’s no better moment than when witnessing youth come into an encounter with the Person of Jesus and joyfully open and surrender …
CISE Students thrive at “A Hero’s Journey” Career Expo
David Cooley Nearly 200 eighth-grade students from schools supported by Catholic Inner-city Schools Education (CISE) took part in the inaugural CISE Career Exposition “A Hero’s Journey” on Monday, Nov. 24 at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. The event featured more than 30 Cincinnati industry partners providing interactive introductions to …
Give thanks for God’s presence
By Sister Constance Veit, lsp As we look toward Thanksgiving and Christmas, I realize that 2025 is quickly coming to an end, and so is the Jubilee Year of Hope. What will be our take-aways from this special time of grace? Hope has become more real for me this year …
Catholic at Home: Prepare for a more Soulful Thanksgiving
We go around the table every year: “I’m grateful for my family and friends,” somebody says. “I’m grateful for pie,” one child pipes up. Thinking ahead to my turn, I want to voice something that’s heartfelt and unique, but, most years, I realize that I’ve done little reflection on the …
Fact check: Did Pope Leo host a rave last week in Slovakia?
By Amira Abuzeid CNA Staff, Nov 25, 2025 / 13:18 pm Social media lit up last week with claims that Pope Leo XIV “threw a rave” outside St. Elisabeth Cathedral in Košice, Slovakia. The viral stories included images of laser lights, electronic dance music, and a priest serving as DJ. But …
Hundreds of Nigerian students remain captive; Cameroon archbishop warns of church closures
By Diego López Marina ACI Prensa Staff, Nov 24, 2025 / 17:41 pm The Catholic Church is facing a new wave of violence in Africa: In Nigeria, 265 students from a Catholic school remain captive after being kidnapped last week while an archbishop in Cameroon is threatening to close parishes if …
Was Squanto Catholic? What we know about this hero of the first Thanksgiving
by Jonah McKeown St. Louis, Mo., Nov 24, 2022 / 08:00 am In 1621, lacking both the skills and the resources necessary to survive in the harsh territory of New England, European pilgrims encountered a miracle: a Native American who not only spoke English but who also used his skills …
Bishops lead Stations of the Cross at Colorado ICE center, urges dignity for migrants
By Francesca Pollio Fenton CNA Staff, Nov 25, 2025 / 13:48 pm Editor’s Note: For the Prayer Service by Archbishop Robert G. Casey in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, click here. Hundreds of Catholics gathered in front of the Denver Contract Detention Facility — an ICE detention facility in Aurora, Colorado — …
