Encountering faith on our way

A young couple was crossing the Atlantic by boat. During the trip, they got to know their fellow passengers, some of whom were Christians. The couple were atheists, and having Christian friends was a new experience for them. They were astonished to discover that people of faith could also be people of intelligence and sense. Then, they were astounded to realize that they’d always assumed otherwise. Why shouldn’t faith and intelligence go together?

Sister Suzan Kuku, a member of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart, comforts a patient in September 2012 at St. Daniel Comboni Catholic Hospital in Wau, South Sudan. In a message for the 2013 World Day of the Sick, Pope Benedict XVI called on everyone to be a good Samaritan and concretely help those in need.

Be like Good Samaritan, help those in need, Pope says in message

VATICAN CITY - In a message for the 2013 World Day of the Sick, Pope Benedict XVI called on everyone to be a good Samaritan and concretely help those in need.

Pope Benedict XVI poses with members of the Vatican's diplomatic corps during a meeting in the Sala Regia at the Vatican Jan. 7. The pope told foreign ambassadors that peace-building requires charity, religious liberty, and a proper understanding of huma n rights and openness to divine love.

Peace is impossible without openness to God, Pope tells diplomats

VATICAN CITY - Deploring war, civil conflict and poverty around the world, Pope Benedict XVI told foreign ambassadors assembled at the Vatican that peace-building requires charity, religious liberty, a proper understanding of human rights and openness to divine love.

Pope Benedict XVI accepts offertory gifts from a family during the ordination Mass for four new archbishops in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Jan. 6. The archbishops ordained were: Nicolas Thevenin, apostolic nuncio to Guatemala; Georg Ganswein, pre fect of the papal household and the pope's personal secretary; Fortunatus Nwachukwu, nuncio to Nicaragua; and Angelo Zani, the new secretary of the Congregation for Catholic Education.

Bishops must stand firm in truth to lead people to Christ, Pope says

VATICAN CITY - In their task of leading people to the light of Christ, bishops must have the courage to face opposition and peacefully stand firm in the truth, Pope Benedict XVI said.

In baptism we are God's beloved children

Baptism of the Lord (Year C) Jan. 13 (Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11; Psalm 104; Titus 2:11-14; 3:4-7; Luke 3:15-16, 21-22)

The mothers of priests and seminarians deserve the thanks of the whole church for raising their sons in the faith and supporting them in their vocations, said Cardinal Mauro Piacenza.

Vatican official thanks mothers of priests, asks for their prayers

VATICAN CITY - The mothers of priests and seminarians deserve the thanks of the whole church for raising their sons in the faith and supporting them in their vocations, said Cardinal Mauro Piacenza, prefect of the Congregation for Clergy.

A fear of change

Epiphany of the Lord (Year C) Jan. 6 (Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72; Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6; Matthew 2:1-12)

Pope Benedict XVI prays at the Nativity scene in St. Peter's Square after leading vespers in St. Peter's Basilica on New Year's Eve at the Vatican Dec. 31.

Despite evil, human beings are hard-wired for peace, pope says

VATICAN CITY - Welcoming in the new year, Pope Benedict XVI said that despite the injustice and violence in the world, every human being yearns for and is made for peace.

Italian flags blow in the breeze outside the presidential palace in Rome Dec. 22. When Italians go to the polls Feb. 24, the pope and other church officials will be watching closely.

Agenda for a year of faith: looking ahead at Pope Benedict's 2013

VATICAN CITY - Fortunetelling, like all occult practices, is strictly taboo at the Vatican; and prophecy is a rare gift among journalists. But Pope Benedict XVI's calendar for 2013 is already filling up with planned, probable or possible events. Here are 10 to watch for in the news during the coming year.

The canonization of St. Kateri Tekakwitha was one of the gifts bestowed on the Church this past year.

Let us share in our wonderful gifts

Below is the text of the annual Christmas message issued by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Fr. Yaw Acheampong, priest-chaplain at Toronto’s St. Michael’s Hospital, says experiencing the incarnate God in a hospital community at Christmas is a great gift.

Spiritual side of Christmas evident in hospital setting

TORONTO - As a priest-chaplain at Toronto’s St. Michael’s Hospital, people often want to know what it’s like to spend Christmas in a hospital community.

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