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Catholic News Agency
CRS’ Lenten Rice Bowl program to help feed the hungry amid COVID pandemic
by CNA Staff Denver Newsroom, Feb 12, 2021 / 12:57 am MT (CNA).- Catholic Relief Services is asking Catholics this Lent to remember those affected by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic by participating in the annual CRS Rice Bowl campaign. “As the world continues to grapple with the effects of COVID-19, …
Pope Francis: ‘Experience Lent with love’ by caring for those affected by pandemic
by Courtney Mares Vatican City, Feb 12, 2021 / 07:00 am MT (CNA).- Pope Francis has encouraged Catholics to practice charity in Lent this year by caring for those affected by the coronavirus pandemic. In his message for Lent 2021, the pope asks people to “experience Lent with love,” which …
Lourdes shrine invites the sick to find hope through virtual visit
by Courtney Mares Rome Newsroom, Feb 11, 2021 / 08:00 am MT (CNA).- On the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, the papal delegate for the Marian shrine urged masked pilgrims and virtual viewers alike not to lose hope in the face of sickness and difficulties. “Lourdes is the place …
Detroit archdiocese to restore Sunday Mass obligation in March
Detroit, Mich., Feb 10, 2021 / 02:01 pm MT (CNA).- Most Catholics in the Archdiocese of Detroit will again be obliged to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation starting March 14. Detroit, along with every U.S. diocese, suspended public liturgies last year in response to the coronavirus …
Archdiocese of Chicago to court: Let parishes choose their staff
Washington D.C., Feb 10, 2021 / 04:00 am MT (CNA).- Attorneys for the Archdiocese of Chicago argued before the Seventh Circuit on Tuesday that parishes should be free to choose church leaders without government interference. In the case of Demkovich v. St. Andrew the Apostle Parish, the former music director …
Miami archbishop commends heroism of Catholic FBI agent killed in the line of duty
Miami, Fla., Feb 9, 2021 / 07:01 pm MT (CNA).- Archbishop Thomas Wenski of Miami offered a moving funeral homily last week commending Laura Schwartzenberger, an FBI agent who was killed while pursuing a child pornography investigation. The funeral Mass was celebrated Feb. 6, four days after FBI Special Agent …
February 10: St. Scholastica
On Feb. 10, the Catholic Church remembers St. Scholastica, a nun who was the twin sister of St. Benedict, the “father of monasticism” in Western Europe. The siblings were born around 480 to a Roman noble family in Nursia, Italy. Scholastica seems to have devoted herself to God from her …
Catholic groups announce virtual pilgrimage to Holy Land
CNA Staff, Feb 8, 2021 / 03:46 pm MT (CNA).- Several Catholic groups have opened on-line registration for a free virtual pilgrimage, where pilgrims may experience the culture and prayer of the Holy Land for over 40 days. It is titled the “Pilgrimage In Faith: A Virtual Lenten Journey Through …
Catholic school enrollment sees sharpest drop in nearly 50 years
Washington D.C., Feb 8, 2021 / 02:30 pm MT (CNA).- Enrollment at Catholic schools this academic year has seen its largest drop in nearly half a century, according to a new report. A data brief of the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) showed that enrollment at Catholic schools was down …
February 9: St. Apollonia of Alexandria
St. Apollonia was a holy virgin who suffered martyrdom in Alexandria during a local uprising against the Christians in the early 3rd century. During festivities commemorating the founding of the Roman Empire, a mob began attacking Christians. The great Dionysius, then Bishop of Alexandria (247-265), related the sufferings of Apollonia: …