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USCCB President Skeptical of Possible HHS Compromise

webdev@franciscanmedia.org (American Catholic) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:00:00 EST

NEW YORK (CNS)—Cardinal-designate Timothy M. Dolan of New York said he is "a little skeptical" that the Obama administration wants to find a compromise on the requirement that health plans for most religious employers cover contraceptives and sterilization free of charge.

"I Have Called You"

webdev@franciscanmedia.org (American Catholic) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:00:00 EST

It was startling in our quiet church to hear a cellphone ring out the tune of “When the Saints Go Marching In.”

Panelists Debate How Money, Morals, Myths Drive Behavior

webdev@franciscanmedia.org (American Catholic) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:00:00 EST

NEW YORK (CNS)—American behavior is driven by intertwined forces of money, morals and myths in a constantly shifting struggle for pre-eminence, according to participants in a debate at Jesuit-run Fordham University.

Rich-poor Gap Talk Less Relevant Than Caring for the Poor

webdev@franciscanmedia.org (American Catholic) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:00:00 EST

WASHINGTON (CNS)—Whether the rich-poor divide in the United States is a demographic statistic or a politician's talking point is irrelevant to the agencies that are simply trying to make sure the people on the poor side of the equation have a roof over their head and food on the table.

Doctors Wonder How Federal Mandate Will Affect Practice of Medicine

webdev@franciscanmedia.org (American Catholic) — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 05:00:00 EST

WASHINGTON (CNS)—Whether they are just starting out or nearing the end of their careers, Catholics who want to practice medicine in conformity with the church's teachings wonder how a new federal regulation requiring health plans to cover contraceptives and sterilization free of charge will affect their work.

Cardinal Urges Catholic College Leaders to Embrace Immigration Reform

webdev@franciscanmedia.org (American Catholic) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:00:00 EST

WASHINGTON (CNS)—Cardinal Roger M. Mahony, retired archbishop of Los Angeles and longtime advocate of comprehensive immigration reform, is frustrated with the lack of action from Congress on the issue and hopes that today's young people will bring about a change.

Pro-life Leaders Praise Komen's Decision on Planned Parenthood Grants

webdev@franciscanmedia.org (American Catholic) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:00:00 EST

ST. LOUIS (CNS)—The Jan. 31 announcement by Susan G. Komen for the Cure that it will no longer give grants to Planned Parenthood affiliates for breast cancer screenings "shows we are making a difference and having an impact," said a coordinator of pro-life programs for the St. Louis Archdiocese.

Bishop: Reducing Poverty Will Help Bring About the Kingdom

webdev@franciscanmedia.org (American Catholic) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:00:00 EST

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (CNS)—While Jesus said we will "always have the poor" with us, "if each of us stops on his or her own journey to help a neighbor in need, the kingdom of God will come closer to realization each day," said Bishop George V. Murry of Youngstown, Ohio, in a ...

Half a Century After Vatican II, a Year of Faith and Debate

webdev@franciscanmedia.org (American Catholic) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 EST

VATICAN CITY (CNS)—Fifty years ago this October, Blessed John XXIII and more than 2,500 bishops and heads of religious orders from around the world gathered in St. Peter's Basilica for the opening session of the Second Vatican Council.

Confession: Celebration of Mercy, Not Trial Before Prosecution

webdev@franciscanmedia.org (American Catholic) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:00:00 EST

VATICAN CITY (CNS)—Priests hearing confessions need to replace any negative or aggressive attitudes with meekness and mercy toward the penitent, said a Vatican expert on confession.

Catholic Schools—I’d Choose Them Again

webdev@franciscanmedia.org (American Catholic) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:00:00 EST

Growing up in the 1950s and 1960s in a small Midwestern city, my personal, moral and intellectual growth was shaped by two forces: my family and Catholic schools. Memories of both of these educational influences are positive and lasting. Even before Vatican II articulated the concept of parents as “the first ...

Welcoming the Stranger

webdev@franciscanmedia.org (American Catholic) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 05:00:00 EST

In 2008, I visited St. Gerard Majella Church in the Diocese of Brooklyn in New York. The greeter warmly welcomed me and I took a seat. The bulletin had an entire column devoted to welcoming the newcomer and contained a coupon to fill out if one wanted more information about church ...

Meditations on a Wood Floor

webdev@franciscanmedia.org (American Catholic) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 05:00:00 EST

Some people flip on the TV or climb on the treadmill when they get stressed. Others go shopping, draw a bath or rip open a bag of Oreos.

Dominican Nuns Resist War in Prayer, Action

webdev@franciscanmedia.org (American Catholic) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 05:00:00 EST

BALTIMORE (CNS)—They call themselves peacemakers, following in the footsteps of the nonviolent Jesus.

Joy Is 'Greatest Evidence' Jesus Rose From Dead

webdev@franciscanmedia.org (American Catholic) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 05:00:00 EST

WASHINGTON (CNS)—A Washington pastor told 17,000 exuberant teenagers and young adults gathered at pro-life rally and Mass in the Verizon Center Jan. 23 that he wondered if they knew "what an encouragement you are."

Comfort in Care at Life's End

webdev@franciscanmedia.org (American Catholic) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:00:00 EST

“If you wish to experience peace, provide peace for another.” —Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama

Annual San Francisco Walk Draws Tens of Thousands of Pro-life Activists

webdev@franciscanmedia.org (American Catholic) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:00:00 EST

SAN FRANCISCO (CNS)—Tens of thousands of pro-life activists massed in front of San Francisco's City Hall and then filled the city's main thoroughfare Jan. 21, walking about two miles down Market Street to the Embarcadero.

Journey to the March for Life

webdev@franciscanmedia.org (American Catholic) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 05:00:00 EST

THE ALARM went off at 5:00 a.m. and I thought to myself, It’s much too early. It was cold outside and still dark when I pulled into the church parking lot an hour later. Quietly, I boarded bus #227, the comfortable coach that would transport me safely to the other side ...

Sisters of Life

webdev@franciscanmedia.org (American Catholic) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 05:00:00 EST

The Sisters of Life are a community of 64 women who combine an active apostolate in convents with meditative quiet—sometimes punctured by the squeals of babies.

Mary's Shelters: Helping Women

webdev@franciscanmedia.org (American Catholic) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 05:00:00 EST

“IF YOU THINK GOD isn’t working miracles, then you don’t know about Mary’s Shelter!” Jan Lindsay, 24 years into the miracles of these pro-life residences, still sounds amazed when she recounts their history.

Friends, Family Reflect on Deep Faith of Missing Couple

webdev@franciscanmedia.org (American Catholic) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 05:00:00 EST

WHITE BEAR LAKE, Minn. (CNS)—Friends and parishioners of St. Pius X Church in White Bear Lake reflected on the lives of Jerry and Barb Heil at an evening prayer service Jan. 18.

Events Mark 39th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade

webdev@franciscanmedia.org (American Catholic) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 05:00:00 EST

WASHINGTON (CNS)—One thing that always stands out in the annual marches and rallies in Washington and across the country marking the anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision legalizing abortion is the crowd.

Angel of the Amazon

webdev@franciscanmedia.org (American Catholic) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 05:00:00 EST

"I really thought I made it clear,” an actress on a New York City stage sings as she faces two characters pointing guns at her. She stands in front of a backdrop depicting a lush forest as she conveys fear and conviction simultaneously. The opera singer is portraying Sister Dorothy Stang, ...

Exercise, Sports and Spirituality: Celebrating Body and Soul

webdev@franciscanmedia.org (American Catholic) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:00:00 EST

“Why’d you do that?” I asked my wife, Ellie. In a five-mile race, she’d slowed in the last mile, allowing a friend to beat her to the finish.

Rev. King's Message of Action and Service Lives on, Say Speakers

webdev@franciscanmedia.org (American Catholic) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 05:00:00 EST

GARY, Ind. (CNS)—Two priests and one mayor recalled the late Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in two words: action and service.