ROME (AP) — On the March day that Italy recorded its single biggest jump in coronavirus fatalities, Pope Francis emerged from lockdown to offer an extraordinary prayer and plea to his flock to reassess their priorities, arguing the virus had proved they needed one another. Francis’ words from the…

Among the many ways 2020 has been punishing for pastors, one of the most disheartening is the way COVID-19 has further accelerated the already troubling tendency of Christians being shaped more by online life and its partisan ideological ecosystem than by church life and its formational practices. It…

Photo: CNS“Fatima” is a bit of a high-wire act. A dramatic account of the Marian visitations experienced by three Portuguese peasant children during World War I, it gives both the innocent faithful and the innocently faithless their due. It balances reasonable questions with unassailable faith. And it treats…

By Drew There are many that would read my articles or hear me on the radio and assume I was raised by wolves or worse……jungless. Which is funny because I lost my virginity at 20, had my first drink at 21 and, if I’m being honest, I’m not…

Rev. Matthew Hood thumbs through a missal at the altar of St. Lawrence Parish in Utica, Mich., on Aug. 21, 2020. Finding out he wasn’t a priest was a painful realization, but it came with the grace of knowing God’s providence, he said. (CNS photo/Michael Stechschulte, Detroit Catholic)For…

This subject may create angst but it’s been on my mind as of late. I’m hoping it strikes a chord with others and will bring about thought and discussion, as opposed to merely offending anyone.I believe that pastors should stay out of politics.I realize they are human beings…

By BISHOP GERARDO J. COLACICCO Second in a series of four articles We continue our reflection on the importance of the Holy Eucharist in our lives as we deal with the effects of the pandemic. In the last reflection we touched upon the importance of physically attending Mass…

We continue our reflection on the importance of the Holy Eucharist in our lives as we deal with the effects of the pandemic. In the last reflection we touched upon the importance of physically attending Mass where we receive our Lord in Holy Communion. We discussed the teaching…

A California judge has declined again to grant Los Angeles County a temporary restraining order against John MacArthur and his Grace Community Church for defying a county public health order related to the coronavirus pandemic. However, despite the court also reaffirming the county’s right to issue and enforce…

A Prayer for Parents Teaching Preschool Kids at Home Dear Lord, we pray for preschool-aged children this school year; we pray that they would not fall behind in learning important educational and social skills during this COVID-19 crisis. We pray for the mothers and fathers who have to…