March 13: St. Roderick

Roderick, also known as Ruderic, was a priest in Cabra, Spain during the persecution of Christians by the Moors. Roderick had two brothers, one was a Muslim and the other was a fallen-away Catholic. One day, he tried to stop an argument between his two brothers. However, his brothers turned …
Catholic at Home: Heavenly Hope for Imperfect Parents

I’m just a few days into a consecration to St. Joseph. In anticipation of handing my merits and shortcomings over to the adoptive father of Jesus, I’m gaining more hope in St. Joseph as a leader, provider and protector of my own heart and family. I feel a pull, an …
Forged in Flood: Dayton’s St. Joseph Church founded in 1847 despite record-setting-flood

On Jan. 2, 1847, at 2:00 in the morning, the bells in Dayton rang out signaling another historic flood was deluging the city. The Mad and Miami Rivers crested and broke through their levees. The East Side was completely flooded and a contractor responsible for the construction of Dayton’s newest …
Vatican cardinal supports common Easter date for Catholics, Orthodox

Vatican City, Mar 12, 2021 / 05:00 am MT (CNA).- The president of the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity, Cardinal Kurt Koch, has supported a suggestion that Catholics and Orthodox work to agree on a common date to celebrate Easter. A representative of the Patriarchate of Constantinople to the World …
Survey: One in three Catholics in Germany thinking of leaving Church

CNA Staff, Mar 12, 2021 / 03:00 am MT (CNA).- A third of all German Catholics are considering leaving the Church, according to a new survey published on Thursday. The representative study, unveiled March 11, was conducted by the Erfurt-based opinion research institute INSA Consulere on behalf of the Catholic …
Chicago archdiocese announces another round of parish mergers

Chicago, Ill., Mar 11, 2021 / 07:01 pm MT (CNA).- The Archdiocese of Chicago announced this week the development of several new parish groupings as part of the “Renew My Church” plan. The archdiocese announced the decision March 9 and 10. The plan is to combine 13 parishes into five …
ACLU gets $15 million LGBT grant from billionaire foe of Christian morals and religious freedom

by CNA Staff CNA Staff, Mar 11, 2021 / 08:31 pm MT (CNA).- The American Civil Liberties Union has received a major donation from a billionaire heir whose LGBT activism includes both funding for efforts to limit religious freedom and funding for Christian groups – including Catholic dissenters – that …
A Dad’s Parting Wisdom and Spiritual Fatherhood

In his Apostolic Letter Patris Corde, Pope Francis describes St. Joseph as a beloved father; a tender and loving father; an obedient and accepting father; a working father who was creatively courageous; and, finally, as the “shadow of the Father,” reflecting the Eternal Fatherhood of God. Priests are also called …
Catholic nun begs police not to shoot protesters during Myanmar unrest

by Hannah Brockhaus Rome Newsroom, Mar 10, 2021 / 08:10 am MT (CNA).- A religious sister in northern Burma knelt before police on Monday, begging them not to use violent force against protestors. In avideo, Sr. Ann Rose Nu Tawng, a member of the Sisters of St. Francis Xavier, can …
New Mexico assisted suicide bill ‘worst in the nation’, Archbishop Wester warns

Santa Fe, N.M., Mar 10, 2021 / 07:01 pm MT (CNA).- The New Mexico legislature could soon pass an assisted suicide bill that is “the worst in the nation”, Archbishop John Wester of Santa Fe has said, lamenting “bills that threaten vulnerable life.” Wester said H.B. 47, which would legalize …