IMAGE: CNS photo/L’Osservatore Romano By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Only when Christ is the focus of the Christmas season do all the colorful lights, carols, special meals and traditions help create a festive and joyous atmosphere, Pope Francis said. “If we take him away, the lights go out …

Saint John The Evangelist, who is styled in the gospel, The beloved disciple of Christ,” and is called by the Greeks “The Divine,” was a Galilean, the son of Zebedee and Salome, and younger brother of St. James the Great, with whom he was brought up to the trade of …

Today we look at the life of St. Stephen.

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Those who recognize the Lord in the baby Jesus in the manger also should recognize his presence in children suffering today because of war, poverty and immigration, Pope Francis said. “Jesus knows well the pain of not being welcomed and …

To the joy of some, and sorrow to others, the Ohio Valley received some snow on Christmas Eve, 2017. It was a busy day as many rushed out to get those last minute preparations finished. Yet, at sundown, the quiet over took the noise as we celebrated the Birth of …

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Christmas calls believers to see God’s presence where he is often perceived as absent, especially in the “unwelcomed visitor, often unrecognizable, who walks through our cities and our neighborhoods, who travels on our buses and knocks on our doors,” …

I will raise up your heir after you, sprung from your loins, and I will make his kingdom firm. (2 SM 7) Temperatures dropped in the Ohio Valley as churches awaited the Fourth Sunday of Advent and the Glorious Christmas Season O Come O Come Emmanuel at Guardian Angels Parish …

IMAGE: CNS/L’Osservatore Romano By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Blessed Paul VI could be declared a saint in 2018, perhaps during the Synod of Bishops, an institution he re-established after the Second Vatican Council, according to the newspaper of his home diocese. La Voce del Popolo, the newspaper of …

IMAGE: CNS photo/L’Osservatore Romano By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Callista L. Gingrich presented her letters of credential to Pope Francis, formally assuming her duties as U.S. ambassador to the Holy See. Gingrich met privately with the pope Dec. 22 after introducing her husband, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, …

Men at The Athenaeum of Ohio circa 2014 singing “Salve Regina” Hail, holy Queen, Mother of Mercy,Our life, our sweetness and our hope.To thee do we cry,Poor banished children of Eve;To thee do we send up our sighs,Mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.Turn then, most gracious advocate,Thine eyes …