Mary Marrocco: We need to learn to speak our faith
Having seen many performances of Shakespeare’s play, I have heard many actors’ interpretations of Hamlet’s response to the seemingly-innocent question: “What do you read, my lord?” With dry irony, or with bitterness, weariness, humour or biting sarcasm, Hamlet replies: “Words, words, words.” Like his author, Hamlet had reason to be fed up with words, and reason to be entranced with them. So have we all.
God's Word on Sunday: Looking for the life message in Genesis
27th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Oct. 3 (Year B) Genesis 2:7ab, 15, 18-24; Psalm 128; Hebrews 2:9-11; Mark 10:2-16
When the ancients wanted to teach about life, they told stories. These stories were well-seasoned with symbols and layers of meaning. And they were not at all bothered by inconsistencies, repetitions and apparent contradictions.
Vatican to require vaccination proof or negative COVID-19 test
VATICAN CITY -- Visitors, tourists and employees who want to enter Vatican territory will be required beginning Oct. 1 to show proof of vaccination, recovery from the coronavirus or a negative COVID-19 test.
God's Word on Sunday: We all share in birthright of the Spirit
26th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sept. 26 (Year B) Numbers 11:25-29; Psalm 19; James 5:1-6; Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48
Leading the Israelites through the wilderness was too great a burden to rest solely on the shoulders of one man.
Pope Francis: Bishops must handle Communion debate as shepherds, not with censures
ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT FROM SLOVAKIA (CNS) -- The debate about denying Communion to politicians who support abortion must be handled in a pastoral way, not by public condemnations that seek to "excommunicate" Catholics who are not in line with church teaching, Pope Francis said.
Pope Francis reminds Roma community, young people that church is their home
KOŠICE, Slovakia (CNS) -- Pope Francis made sure that while the world often disregards the young and the marginalized, in the Catholic Church, "no one ought ever to feel out of place or set aside."
Horrors of Holocaust must not be forgotten, Pope Francis tells Slovak Jews
BRATISLAVA, Slovakia -- The violence of the Holocaust and the atrocities committed against the Jewish people are tantamount to blasphemy, Pope Francis said.
Denounce violence, inflammatory preaching, Pope Francis tells religious leaders
VATICAN CITY -- Religious leaders must courageously cooperate in supporting each other in opposing hatred and promoting peace, Pope Francis said.
Pope Francis urges Slovak church, government to put people first
BRATISLAVA, Slovakia -- Slovakia's tradition of hospitality along with its witness of faith amid persecution must be at the forefront of government policies and the Catholic Church's engagement with the faithful, Pope Francis said.
After warm welcome to Slovakia, Pope Francis encourages Christian leaders to unite
BRATISLAVA, Slovakia -- Hundreds of men, women and children gathered on the tarmac of Bratislava international airport Sept. 12 to welcome Pope Francis for a visit of less than 72 hours.
Fr. Yaw Acheampong: Celebrating the joy of stewardship
Which parish activity have you missed most during this COVID-19 pandemic?