By CNA Staff CNA Newsroom, Aug 4, 2023 / 02:00 am A century after the patron saint of priests, St. John Vianney, died on Aug. 4, 1859, Pope John XXIII reflected on the life of the saint and what it means to be a holy priest. In contemplating his life, one …

When I was a child, my family prayed the rosary daily, but during June, the month when we honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus, we prayed the “Sacred Heart Rosary.” This version substitutes, “Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like unto Thine,” for the Lord’s Prayer, and …

Ten years ago, my friend was preparing to move to Baltimore. Before the move, she made a request: “Mom is getting a little forgetful. Could you look in on her and bring her Communion?” I agreed and each Friday I met with a remarkable mother of eight who raised her …

It has been nearly 20 years since my priestly ordination. My last year of seminary was marked by the horrific acts of violence and terror on 9/11 – the vivid image of the Cross at Ground Zero is unforgettable. I remember reading a newspaper article about lay Catholics walking and …

Just before Christmas, I gratefully received the book Shreveport Martyrs of 1873: The Surest Path to Heaven, which recalls the Yellow Fever epidemic that devastated Shreveport, LA, wiping out one-fourth of its population. As the Daily Shreveport Times stated: “Whole families were swept away, and commercial firms, partners and clerks, …

In Nov. 2021, Pope Francis video-messaged the Pontifical Council for Culture, which gathered virtually for its Plenary assembly. He lamented that the message could not be given in person because the digital universe makes everything “incredibly close but without the warmth of presence.” Our culture is being transformed, said the …

This article is part of a series from Father Earl Fernandes exploring Families of Parishes. Click the links below to find other articles in the series. The Church as the Family of God Families of Parishes as Evangelizing Communities Being a Synodal Church Synodality Walking with Christ, The Holy Spirit …

This article is part of a series from Father Earl Fernandes exploring Families of Parishes. Click the links below to find other articles in the series. The Church as the Family of God Families of Parishes as Evangelizing Communities Being a Synodal Church Synodality Walking with Christ, The Holy Spirit …

This article is part of a series from Father Earl Fernandes exploring Families of Parishes. Click the links below to find other articles in the series. The Church as the Family of God Families of Parishes as Evangelizing Communities Being a Synodal Church Synodality in the Church of the Church …

This article is part of a series from Father Earl Fernandes exploring Families of Parishes. Click the links below to find other articles in the series. The Church as the Family of God Families of Parishes as Evangelizing Communities Synodality Walking with Christ, The Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary …