Sister Dianna Ortiz, 62, an Ursuline Sister of Mount Saint Joseph for 43 years, died Friday, Feb. 19, 2021, in Washington, D.C., after a brave battle with cancer. She was raised in Grants, N.M. Sister Dianna called on God to help her survive a traumatic event in her life to …

by Kary Ellen Berger Walking for thousands of miles may not be possible for everyone, but thanks to Region 7’s Lenten Pilgrimages, that idea has been brought to life. For their 2021 Lenten pilgrimage, the parishes of Emmanuel Church, Holy Trinity Church and St. Joseph Church in Dayton decided to …

When we moved across town last February, one of the first things I did was hang our wall decor to make our new home feel like it belonged to us. The first thing to adorn our new walls was a crucifix. Modest in size, our crucifix packs a punch when …

When did St. Joseph die, and were Mary and Jesus with him? Where is he buried? Joseph, the foster father of Jesus and the Virgin Mary’s husband, has an important role in salvation history. Though we know relatively little about his life, he remains a model of fatherhood and the …

Father John “Jack” E. Wessling died on Monday, February 15, 2021, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was born on November 23, 1931 in Covington, Kentucky. He did his preparatory studies at St. Gregory Seminary, Cincinnati and received an M.A. in philosophy and theology at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary of the West …

Father Carl A. Birarelli died on February 12, 2021, in Sarasota, Florida. He was born on October 30, 1926, in Everett, Massachusetts. He was ordained on June 15, 1958 for the Congregation of the Missionary of St. Charles as a member of the Scalibrini Fathers by Archbishop William O’Brien, Auxiliary …

During this time of pandemic, it has been very important to me to persevere in my work as a sacred musician. Not only do our liturgies still need music, but it seems to me that during this time, in which much of our focus has been on bodily survival, the …

Live! from the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception at 12:00 Noon.

What is the origin of beginning Lent with Ash Wednesday? When did the practice of using ashes start? Like other practices in the Church, being signed with ashes on the first day of Lent is an ancient custom that has undergone some development. From Biblical times through the Medieval Age, …

Story & photos by Susie Bergman Say the words “Fat Tuesday” or “Mardi Gras” to most people, and they may smile sheepishly at the Christian holiday that has become synonymous with beads, booze and debauchery. But not all of them. In Mercer County, Matthew Hess has been on a mission …