By Catholic News Service  WASHINGTON — Pope Francis has accepted the retirement of Archbishop Michael J. Sheehan of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and named Bishop John C. Wester of Salt Lake City, Utah, to succeed him. Archbishop Sheehan, who has headed the Santa Fe Archdiocese since1993, turned 75 last year, …

By Ann Schneible CNA/EWTN News  Kathmandu, Nepal — Pope Francis led the crowds gathered in Saint Peter’s Square for the weekly Regina Caeli address in praying for the victims of Saturday’s earthquake in Nepal which has claimed thousands of lives. “I wish to express my closeness to the populations struck …

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — In every relationship, including one’s relationship with Jesus, it is important to remember that “first encounter,” that initial, life-changing moment of love, Pope Francis said. Celebrating Mass April 24 in the chapel of the Domus Sanctae Marthae, Pope Francis used the …

By Joyce Duriga Catholic News Service CHICAGO — Alfredo Fricano is probably one of the only people who could get away with telling Cardinal Francis E. George he looked like a “bum.” Once the cardinal’s longtime barber — who his clients just call Alfredo — saw him on TV and …

Staff Report  Just days after Earth Day, the Mayerson JCC, the Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati, and Mother of Mercy High School have announced an Intercultural Day of Service. Sunday, April 26, beginning at 3 p.m. approximately 60 teens from throughout the tri-state, representing three major world religions, will work …

Staff Report The seven men expected to be ordained priests for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati in 2016 will be ordained transitional deacons Saturday, April 25. The ordination begins at 11 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Chains, with Auxiliary Bishop of Cincinnati Joseph R. Binzer presiding.

By Catholic News Service  WASHINGTON— Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Bishop Lawrence E. Brandt of Greensburg, Pennsylvania, and appointed as his successor Father Edward C. Malesic, judicial vicar of the Diocese of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Just one day prior, the Holy Father accepted the resignation of Bishop David E. …

Staff Report The Cincinnati chapter of the National Pastoral Musicians Association (NPM Cincinnati) hosted three choral festivals in recent months, one in Lent and two in the Easter Season. A photo gallery of the performances appears at the bottom of this story.

Staff Report NET Ministries, which has put on more than 300 retreats in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, is continuing its mission of proclaiming the Gospel. On March 26, the NET team hosted a retreat for sixth through eighth grade students of St. John’s Catholic School in Colerain Township.

By Catholic News Service  VATICAN CITY — Marking the celebration of Earth Day, Pope Francis asked that everyone recognize the earth as God’s gift to protect and cultivate, sharing the world’s natural resources. May the way people treat the earth “not be guided by greed, manipulation and exploitation, but rather …