By John Stegeman The Catholic Telegraph The 40 Days for Life program, a biannual, worldwide prayer vigil to end abortion, operated another successful campaign in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati this fall. Participants in 40 Days For Life vigils maintain a prayerful presence outside of abortion clinics (Clifton, Sharonville and Kettering …

Staff Report Merry Christmas! In honor of the what the church celebrates this week, here are a few Christmas-themed stories from the December edition of The Catholic Telegraph, and from the Catholic News Service.

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — The world famous Nativity scenes of Naples never follow just the biblical account of Jesus’ birth; for one thing, the figures usually are dressed in 18th-century costumes, but also it’s not unusual for a modern-day politician or even pope to enter …

By Charmaine Barranco Catholic News Service BROOKS, Minn. — Christmas this year is special for Mickala Morinville, who is back with her family after a lengthy illness and a Christmas spent a year ago at the Mayo Clinic. One of the last things 17-year-old Mickala remembers clearly is reciting a …

Staff Report With Christmas on the horizon, The Catholic Telegraph sent a photographer to walk around downtown Cincinnati on Dec. 23, taking in the sights of the season. Readers looking for Christmas Mass times should visit the calendar page and click on Dec. 24 or Dec. 25 for Mass times …

By Steve Trosley The Catholic Telegraph Families and communities have various ways of celebrating with some having roots in their ethnic heritage and others having roots in habit. Some of our friends in the archdiocese sent the following notes on their personal celebrations for your entertainment at this special time …

By Catholic News Service NEW YORK — A spokesman for the New York Archdiocese said the archdiocese “welcomes and applauds” a Dec. 13 ruling by a federal judge granting Catholic organizations in the archdiocese and the neighboring Diocese of Rockville Centre a permanent injunction on having to comply with the …

By Eileen Connelly, OSU The Catholic Telegraph In the century since St. Anthony of Padua Parish was founded, there have been many changes in the surrounding East Dayton neighborhood. What has remained constant is the parish’s reason for being — spreading the Gospel of Jesus, administering the sacraments and exercising …

Staff Report The Catholic Telegraph is still seeking input from readers in selecting our top 10 stories of 2013 but time is running out. Through December 16 readers can fill in the survey below to rank the top 10 stories of 2013 that appeared in The Catholic Telegraph. 

Staff & CNS Reports From the moment he stepped onto the balcony following the words “Habemus Papam,” Pope Francis has captured the attention of the world. Acknowledging that impact, TIME magazine has named the Holy Father as its 2013 Person of the Year. Pope Francis earned the nod by beating …