DUBLIN (CNS) -- U.S. Jesuit Father James Martin set out a series of ways in which parishes can show welcome and respect to LGBT Catholics.

VATICAN – Everything in the document "Amoris Laetitia" on marriage and family life is based on Catholic Church teaching "always in continuity -- without ruptures -- yet always maturing," Pope Francis said.

I was watching a comedy special by Chris D’Elia the other day where he joked about marriage and it really got me thinking. 

WASHINGTON – Priests continue to play diverse and integral roles in marriage preparation across Europe and Asia.

When I left high school I told myself university is where I would find a husband. Well, I have one year left of my bachelor’s degree with no husband in sight. 

PADERBORN, Germany – According to a regional newspaper report, Archbishop Hans-Josef Becker of Paderborn has decided to allow Protestant spouses of Catholics living in his diocese to receive holy Communion "in individual cases."

WASHINGTON – The German bishops' conference said when the bishops meet in September, they will continue to examine the issue of Communion for Protestant spouses of Catholics.

MANCHESTER, England – Nearly 500 British priests have signed a statement in support of the papal encyclical that forbade married couples from using contraception.

VANCOUVER – Katherine Babcock was in college studying toward an arts degree when she found out she was pregnant. The child's father, her best friend of 10 years, could not cope with the news.

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad – Interfaith leaders, including Catholics, have declared their belief that marriage can only be between a biological man and a biological woman.

BALTIMORE, Md. – The Archdiocese of Baltimore has announced a policy to allow weddings to be held outside of parish churches, including at outdoor venues.

Last month Pope Francis had Catholics worldwide scratching their heads after he seemed to suggest German bishops would have his blessing if they reached a group consensus to circumvent Church teaching and make it easier for some Protestants to receive Communion.

OTTAWA – Humanae Vitae’s predictions of contraception’s effects proved far worse than Pope Paul VI’s prophetic vision, said speakers at an event marking the document’s 50th anniversary.

Fire Sermon by Jamie Quatro (Anansi International, 256 pages, softcover, $17.96 on Amazon.ca)

VANCOUVER – In 60 years of marriage, Marilyn and Stan Pidsadny have found one of the most fulfilling things they’ve ever done together is to go prison.