A New Group of Catholics: Across the Archdiocese Catechumens Prepare to Enter the Church
by Rebecca Sontag North: Immaculate Conception When asked why she intends to join the Catholic Church, Amanda Schmerge replied with serene certitude, saying, “It was a slow-growing love.” Amanda was satisfied as a Methodist, always active in her church. Yet, it seemed a reasonable compromise that her children, ages 4-11, …
Question of Faith: Unique Guardian Angels?
Q. Does each person have a unique guardian angel? If so, do angels have lifespans? Do they reproduce, or were all the angels necessary for the whole of human history created at the beginning of time? A: Each Sunday during the Creed, we profess that God the Father is the …
With visit to Cuba’s Madonna, New York cardinal begins six-day trip
IMAGE: CNS photo/Rhina Guidos By Rhina Guidos CAMAGUEY, Cuba (CNS) — In his first stop of a six-day visit to Cuba, Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan walked in without fanfare Feb. 8 into the Shrine of Our Lady of Charity in the town of El Cobre, likely the most popular sacred …
Victim-survivor says affirmation, sharing his story a pathway to healing
IMAGE: CNS photo/Dave Hrbacek, The Catholic Spirit By Dave Hrbacek ST. PAUL, Minn. (CNS) — Michael Callaghan’s healing from clergy sexual abuse took a big step forward after he saw the movie "Spotlight" in 2015. The Academy Award-winning fact-based drama detailing the clerical abuse scandal in Boston moved Callaghan deeply …
Cardinal Dolan to meet with Cuban president, church leaders during visit
IMAGE: CNS photo/Andres Martinez Casares, Reuters By Rhina Guidos WASHINGTON (CNS) — New York Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan is set to meet with the president of the Republic of Cuba during a Feb. 7-12 trip to the island nation, which includes a visit with the cardinal of Havana and other …
Humility, not showing off, is the Christian way of life, pope says
By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Christians are called to follow the same path of humiliation Jesus followed to the cross, and they should not flaunt their piety or position in the church, Pope Francis said. Everyone, including members of the clergy, can be tempted to take the …
Legionaries elect U.S. leader as superior general
IMAGE: CNS photo/Legionaries of Christ By Cindy Wooden ROME (CNS) — During a general chapter meeting largely devoted to their order’s sexual abuse crisis, the Legionaries of Christ elected U.S. Father John Connor as superior general for the next six years. Father Connor, who will celebrate his 52nd birthday Feb. …
Among calls for unity, Trump criticizes Democrats at prayer breakfast
IMAGE: CNS photo/Leah Millis, Reuters By Dennis Sadowski WASHINGTON (CNS) — As three members of Congress and a well-known economist called for healing, unity and "love of neighbor" at the National Prayer Breakfast, President Donald Trump broke ranks and criticized Democrats for impeaching him while hailing Republicans who acquitted him. …
Inviting neighbors to say rosary together leads to community of prayer
IMAGE: CNS photo/Doug Hesse, The Leaven By Moira Cullings OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (CNS) — It was an invitation Erin Joerger never expected to receive from a neighbor: "We’re going to watch the Super Bowl and pray the rosary before. Come over." "I kind of thought they were joking," she said. …
Pope: Money from human trafficking stained with blood
By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The hands of those who engage in human trafficking are stained with the blood of countless victims whose lives and dignity were sacrificed, Pope Francis said. In a video message released by the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, the pope offered his prayer …