IMAGE: CNS photo/Tom Tracy By Tom Tracy FREEPORT, Grand Bahama (CNS) — In response to the most damaging storm in the modern history of the Bahamas, a regional office of Caritas International has moved forward in its two-year commitment to promote housing refurbishment and mental wellness in the islands. Category …

Question: I know of Freemasons who are also practicing Catholics. I always thought that this was forbidden, but I was told that these men had permission from their pastors to join. Is it permissible for a Catholic to become a Mason? Is this addressed in canon law? Answer: The Church …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Life Savers By Sydney Clark WASHINGTON (CNS) — As a new Lenten season begins, Father Jorge Obregon from Houston is encouraging young Latino Catholics to participate in a new spiritual campaign titled Life Savers. "I hope this can get to as many Spanish-speaking people starting in Spain and …

A few months ago I was contacted by a man in active pro-life ministry in Hong Kong who regularly listens to my “Being Pro-Life” podcast and offered to participate in it. I was intrigued by the idea of what the big pro-life issues are across the world, so I went …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Vatican Media By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Confronting and not giving in to bitterness helps priests realize that they are not all-powerful beings but sinners who have been forgiven and called by God, Pope Francis said. Bitterness is "a subtle enemy" that hides and "robs …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Remo Casilli, Reuters By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis did not attend a traditional penitential service with priests of the Diocese of Rome due to a mild cold, the Vatican said. In a statement Feb. 27, Matteo Bruni, director of the Vatican press office, …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Paul Haring By Junno Arocho Esteves ROME (CNS) — Ashes not only symbolize humanity’s frail mortality but are also a reminder of God’s infinite love of people, whom he created from dust, Pope Francis said. While men and women are just "dust in the universe" compared to the …

Ash Wednesday Masses AFTER 6:00 p.m. 6:15 p.m. St. John Fisher Newtown, 3227 Church St., Cincinnati OH 45244 Wright State University Campus Ministry, 3650 Colonel Glenn Hwy, Fairborn OH 45324 6:30 p.m. Church of the Resurrection Bond Hill, 1619 California Ave., Cincinnati OH 45237 Immaculate Conception, N Main & Walnut, …

By WASHINGTON (CNS) — By blocking two pro-life bills from going to the floor of the U.S. Senate for a vote, senators "failed to advance two critical human rights reforms that most Americans strongly support," the chairman of the U.S. bishops’ pro-life committee said late Feb. 25. Earlier that day, …

IMAGE: CNS photo/Paul Haring By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Lent is a time to remove all distractions and bitterness from one’s life in order to better hear God and those who suffer silently and need help, Pope Francis said. "It is the right time to turn off the …