Coronavirus restrictions could renew appreciation for community, faith
IMAGE: CNS photo/courtesy Archdiocese of Baltimore By Carol Zimmermann WASHINGTON (CNS) — During the coronavirus pandemic, life as most people have known it, including parish life, has come to a halt. But despite closed churches, canceled parish gatherings and limited outreach, many church leaders are emphasizing that Catholics can take …
Charities staff see pandemic posing stark threat to homeless population
IMAGE: CNS photo/Kamil Krzaczynski, Reuters By Tom Tracy WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CNS) — The COVID-19 global pandemic creating havoc across the U.S. poses a stark threat to the homeless, while an economic downturn may create a new wave of homelessness, several Catholic Charities staff members report. In Southern California, …
Confession by phone: Priest says it could be right in some situations
IMAGE: CNS photo/Cindy Wooden By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — If a priest is wearing a mask and standing 3 feet or 6 feet away from a penitent requesting the sacrament of reconciliation, is he really more present to a penitent he knows than he would be by telephone? …
With borders closed because of pandemic, ‘an infinite abyss’ opened
IMAGE: CNS photo/courtesy Barbara Fraser By Barbara J. Fraser LIMA, Peru (CNS) — Late March 15, Peru’s president declared a state of emergency, ordered ordinary people like me to stay home, and announced that no one would be allowed to enter or leave the country. By closing the borders, he …
Pope prays for coronavirus victims, workers who died serving others
IMAGE: CNS photo/Flavio Lo Scalzo, Reuters By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis asked people to pray for all victims of COVID-19, including the health care workers who sacrificed their lives caring for others. "Let us pray today for the dead, for those who, because of the virus, …
Pandemic can be time to rediscover love, kindness, pope says
IMAGE: CNS photo/Lindsey Wasson, Reuters By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — People must use this time of the coronavirus pandemic to rediscover the importance of small, concrete gestures of affection and care toward others, Pope Francis said in a new interview. "Sometimes we only experience a virtual form of …
Using the lockdown for good: CUA professor shares his family’s experience
IMAGE: CNS photo/Elias J. Widmer By Cindy Wooden ROME (CNS) — Looking on the "bright side" or seeking the "silver lining" of something like a lockdown to prevent the spread of the coronavirus is not naivete, but an exercise of one’s God-given will, said a U.S. professor locked down in …
Badin wrestling program in great shape as Carpenter hands reins over to Martin
Dexter Carpenter has left a strong legacy as he turns the reins of the Badin High School wrestling program over to Craig Martin. “I’ve had a ball,” said Carpenter, the head coach who started the program from the ground up for the 2005-06 season and is retiring this summer. “This …
‘Bless me, Father – but from 6 feet away!’ Coronavirus and confession
By Mary Farrow Lincoln, Neb., Mar 18, 2020 / 04:00 am (CNA).- Demand for confessions at St. Mary’s in downtown Lincoln, Nebraska, has always been high: it’s a centrally-located church with convenient, daily confession times and often multiple confessors. During the parish’s normal 11:30-noon weekday confession times, penitents on their …
How are Catholics coping with school closures?
By Matt Hadro Washington D.C., Mar 17, 2020 / 03:00 pm (CNA).- The coronavirus pandemic has caused Catholic schools across the United States to close. With no clear timeline for when they might reopen, parents, students, teachers and schools are finding innovative ways to balance distance learning and home life. …
