Stop taking smartphone snapshots during Mass, pope says
IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Mass is not a show, but a beautiful, transformative encounter with the true loving presence of Christ, Pope Francis said. That is why people need to focus their hearts on God, not focus their smartphones for pictures during Mass, …
A picture says a thousand words: Statewide Day of Adoration for Vocations
After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit. He said to them, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his …
Domestic Justice Chairman Urges True Debate on Gun Violence
November 7, 2017 WASHINGTON—In the aftermath of the recent and horrific attacks in Las Vegas, Nevada, and the First Baptist Church of Southerland Springs, Texas, Bishop Frank J. Dewane of Venice, Florida, Chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, urged national leaders to engage in a …
A historic day in the life of the Seminary at the Athenaeum
The skies may have been leaden, but the light of what Archbishop Dennis Schnurr called an “historic event” shined bright on those gathered under a tent on in the Marian Courtyard of Mount St. Mary’s Seminary of the West Nov. 2 as ground was broken for a new residence building. …
Nation’s leaders urged to ‘engage in real debate’ on curbing gun violence
By WASHINGTON (CNS) — The nation’s leaders “must engage in a real debate about needed measures to save lives and make our communities safer,” said the chairman of the U.S. bishops’ domestic policy committee. Such debate is essential because “violence in our society will not be solved by a single …
Pope, global leaders discuss concern for climate change, migration
By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis met with Kofi Annan, the former U.N. secretary-general, and former Irish President Mary Robinson to discuss shared concerns about peace, human rights and climate change. “Pope Francis has shown great moral leadership on the crucial issues of our time. His assertion …
Salvation is free, not a ‘pay to save’ deal with God, pope says
By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) — When it comes to salvation, God does not seek any form of compensation and offers it freely to those in need of his love, Pope Francis said. A Christian who complains of not receiving a reward for going to Mass every Sunday …
Pope offers prayers for victims of Texas shooting
IMAGE: CNS photo/Sergio Flores, Reuters By VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Calling the mass shooting in a Texas Baptist church Nov. 5 an “act of senseless violence,” Pope Francis asked the local Catholic archbishop to convey his condolences to the families of the victims and to the injured. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, …
‘Victims’ charter’ is next step in fighting trafficking, academy says
By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — After 7-year-old Rani Hong was stolen from her mother in a small village in India and sold into slavery, her captors kept her in a cage to teach her to submit completely to her “master.” “This is what the industry of human trafficking …
Teach students role of justice in migration, pope says
IMAGE: CNS/L’Osservatore Romano By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Catholic universities need to study the root causes of forced migration and ways to counter the discrimination and xenophobic reactions it provokes in so many traditionally Christian nations, Pope Francis said. “I would also like to invite Catholic universities to …