Unsung Heroes: Dayton Locals Feed the Need

by Mark Danis COVID-19 is waging war on humanity. Our individual responsibility to respond might cause some to recall a question from a young girl to her father in 1915, ironically, just before the 1918 Spanish Flu Pandemic. “Daddy, what did YOU do in the Great War?” Twenty years from …
Going the Extra Mile During COVID-19 St. Joseph Orphanage: Meeting Education, Mental Health and Basic Needs

by Eileen Connelly, OSU Teachers, therapists and staff members at St. Joseph Orphanage (SJO) have been responding to the COVID-19 crisis with above and beyond dedication and compassion. Founded by the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati in 1829, SJO is one of the oldest child and family service agencies in …
Five COVID deaths at Wisconsin home for religious sisters with dementia

CNA Staff, May 1, 2020 / 03:28 pm MT (CNA).- Within the past month, a Wisconsin retirement home for religious sisters with dementia has had several sisters die and four staff members test positive. Our Lady of the Angels Convent in Milwaukee has seen five resident deaths due to the …
Survey: Religious Americans say coronavirus crisis has strengthened their faith

Denver Newsroom, May 1, 2020 / 03:50 pm MT (CNA).- A segment of Americans say their faith has grown stronger since the coronavirus epidemic began, including 27% of Catholics, though the rise seems most pronounced among those who were already more religious than most, a survey from the Pew Research …
‘We entrust to her all our fears’: US Bishops reconsecrate country to Mary

by Christine Rousselle Washington, D.C. Newsroom, May 1, 2020 / 02:00 pm MT (CNA).- Dioceses across the United States and Canada joined together on May 1 to reconsecrate themselves to the Blessed Virgin Mary in an act of united prayer for delivery from the coronavirus pandemic. Archbishop Jose Gomez of …
Hunger in ‘wine country’ – How one Napa Valley Catholic school is helping needy families

Denver Newsroom, May 2, 2020 / 07:00 am MT (CNA).- A small Catholic school in Napa, California is drawing on community support to run a weekly food pantry for its families and neighbors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Volunteers, led by the school board, have adapted Kolbe Academy & Trinity Prep— …
Seize the Moment: That Time the Apostles Were Quarantined

The apostles were once under a mandated quarantine. It’s true. You can read all about it in the first two chapters of the Book of Acts. After Jesus rose from the dead, he appeared to the Apostles over a period of 40 days. Then, he ordered them to stay in …
Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr Sends Letter to Alter High School Family

Dear Members of the Archbishop Alter High School Family, Recently a decision was made to not renew the annual contract of a long-time and highly valued teacher at Archbishop Alter High School. This development has naturally precipitated a great outpouring of sadness and anger, as this teacher was very obviously …
Mary Garden of Mercy: Growing in Purpose

by Rebecca Sontag The first known garden to be officially dedicated to the Virgin Mary bore little resemblance to the idea of the “Mary Garden” we know today. It was not filled with purely ornamental flowers, decorative topiaries and manicured nooks punctuated here and there with lovely statuary. This particular …
Question of Faith: What is Spiritual Communion?

Q: Since public Masses have been canceled, a friend encouraged me to practice “spiritual communion.” I wasn’t sure what that meant. Can you explain? A. The practice of “spiritual communion,” as a means of drawing close to Jesus even when we cannot receive the Eucharist, has deep roots in the …