ROME - Like many Roman Catholic immigrant families from southern Italy, I grew up with a devotion to the patron saint of my family’s ancestral town. Every Italian city, town and village has one. As a general rule, the smaller the village, the more obscure the saint.
Star athlete turns back on baseball for the priesthood
By Michele Jurich, Catholic News ServiceOAKLAND, CALIF. - Bishop Michael C. Barber was able to do what general manager Billy Beane could not: Call Grant Desme to Oakland.
Charismatic gift takes Nigerian priest to airwaves of North America
By Maria Dalgarno, Catholic Register SpecialGrowing up in Nigeria, Fr. Maurice Emelu never imagined his calling would take him around the world and eventually put him in front of TV cameras that reach up to 230 million homes in 144 nations.
In 65 years of religious service, teaching has been greatest joy
By Lasha Morningstar, Canadian Catholic NewsEDMONTON - The gold stars on his report card are many. Now 83, celebrating his 65 years of religious life, Br. Donatus Vervoort is hard pressed to reply when asked what the greatest joy has been in his life.
Saskatoon latest diocese to begin diaconate program
By Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Canadian Catholic NewsSASKATOON - Saskatoon Bishop Donald Bolen is accepting the recommendation of a 12-member committee to move ahead with a permanent diaconate program for the Prairie diocese.
Family’s spiritual awakening opened the path to priesthood
By Deborah Gyapong, Canadian Catholic NewsOTTAWA - Fr. Bryan Sabourin, a member of the Companions of the Cross order, recalls a time when he was embarrassed to bring his friends home.
In Jesus I found the meaning of life
By Sylvester Ibekwe, Catholic Register SpecialI was 17, and had just finished high school in Nigeria. The world had opened up to me with all its beauty, charm and possibilities. I had to consider what I would do with my life. I needed the best that the world could offer. I spent time with my friends. We talked about our future and the kind of profession we wanted.
Catholic Church can play role in conquering Korean divide
By Evan Boudreau, The Catholic RegisterTORONTO - Going home to South Korea for Fr. Anselmo Park will mean getting back to evangelizing his countrymen in the name of peace.
All the world’s a stage for evangelization
By Ruane Remy, The Catholic RegisterCatholic actor and evangelist Elisa Lollino looks out from the stage to find silence and stillness has descended upon her audience.
Reflections on a year in the priesthood
By Ruane Remy, The Catholic RegisterTORONTO - A year ago Fr. Jim Zettel was ordained to the priesthood. His next goal is to become a saint or at least live a life worthy of one.