Author Archive
The mercy-filled life: Mother Teresa embodied what Pope Francis teaches
IMAGE: CNS photo/courtesy Catholic Relief Service By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — If there is one person who immersed herself in the “peripheries” Pope Francis is drawn to, it was Blessed Teresa of Kolkata. If there was one who showed courage and creativity in bringing God’s mercy to the …
For Congolese priest, Mary’s Assumption represents hope for tomorrow
IMAGE: CNS photo/Philippe Vaillancourt, Presence By Philippe Vaillancourt QUEBEC CITY (CNS) — For Father Gaston Ndaleghana Mumbere, the feast of the Assumption represents his hope for better tomorrows for Congo. In his recently published book, this 35-year-old Assumptionist priest describes the violence that plagues his home country. But mostly, he …
Pope prays for exploited women, Mary’s intercession on feast of Assumption
IMAGE: CNS photo/Narong Sangnak, EPA By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Celebrating the feast of the Assumption just three days after visiting a group of young women rescued from the sex trade, Pope Francis prayed for all exploited women and girls. “The Lord bows down to the lowly in …
Even as immigration reform stalls, Catholics champion welcoming message
IMAGE: CNS/Alex Brandon By Rhina Guidos WASHINGTON (CNS) — On the Aug. 6 feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, Auxiliary Bishop Mario E. Dorsonville of Washington addressed a crowd of largely Salvadoran immigrants at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. They were there to mark …
Archbishop calls Baltimore police report ‘sobering and distressing’
IMAGE: CNS photo/Bryan Woolston, Reuters By BALTIMORE (CNS) — The same day a federal Department of Justice report cataloging systemic abuses by Baltimore’s police was issued, Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore called that report “sobering and distressing.” “The report is an affirmation of those in our community who have …
Campaign promise of ‘debt-free’ college comes with cost, some say
IMAGE: CNS photo/Tyler Orsburn By Carol Zimmermann WASHINGTON (CNS) — In the presidential election campaign, both major-party candidates have talked about the rising costs of college and the debt that graduates face because of student loans. Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, has spoken out against federal student loans saying …
France increases security around Lourdes for national pilgrimage
IMAGE: CNS photo/Caroline Blumberg, EPA By LOURDES, France (CNS) — French police and military officials have launched a special security operation for the country’s national pilgrimage to Lourdes, following the killing of a Catholic parish priest in a spate of terrorist attacks. Up to 30,000 Catholics are expected to join …
Gymnast keeps rosary — a gift from her mom — close when she competes
IMAGE: CNS photo/Mike Blake, Reuters By RIO DE JANEIRO (CNS) — U.S. Olympic gymnast and gold medalist Simone Biles says when she travels, she sometimes takes with her a statue of St. Sebastian, the patron saint of athletes, and she also carries a rosary her mother gave her. Biles, who …
Bishop urges people to listen, learn, pray, act to foster racial harmony
IMAGE: CNS photo/Theresa Orozco, St. Louis Review) By Joseph Kenny ST. LOUIS (CNS) — Bishop Edward K. Braxton of Belleville, Illinois, said his background is as an academic, with writings on theological and pastoral topics, and not as an expert in a field related to racial matters. But he has …
Faith, family lighten load for triathlete who travels with a lot of gear
IMAGE: CNS photo/courtesy ITU via Catholic Review By Paul McMullen BALTIMORE (CNS) — World-class triathlete Katie Hursey Zaferes travels with a custom bicycle and enough workout gear to outfit an entire aerobics class. How does she lighten her load? With liberal doses of faith and family. When Zaferes, 27, competes …