Story by Sister Ann Shields As I travel around this country speaking in so many parishes and dioceses, and as I participate in large and small conferences bringing Catholics together from all walks of life and nationalities, one of the sad and difficult realizations I have had to face is this: Many do not [...]
Blessed Carlo Acutis is the patron saint of the first year of the National Eucharistic Revival and one of its intercessors. This initiative began in June 2022 and will run through its culmination in the National Eucharistic Congress in July of 2024. The U.S. Bishops were presented with a first-class relic of Blessed Carlo by [...]
At his passing from this world we pray for our former Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, commending him to the Lord’s mercy. He was a man of deep faith who exemplified both gentleness and strength, humility and courage—as demonstrated not only in his decision to resign the papacy, but in all [...]
Reverend Roman Kmieć, C.M., died Wednesday, December 21, 2022, at the age of 61. In his 36 years of priesthood, Fr. Kmieć served at various parishes in the region, including Ss. Cyril and Methodius and St. Stanislaus Kostka Parishes in Brooklyn, NY, and St. Peter Parish in Concord, NH. Within the Archdiocese of Hartford [...]
Deacon Charles E. Cunniff died on Friday, December 16, 2022, at the age of 95. Deacon Charles was ordained to the permanent diaconate on December 19, 1980 by the Most Reverend John F. Whealon. Deacon Charles served for over twenty years at St. Rose of Lima Parish in Meriden. We extend our deepest sympathy to Deacon [...]
by Rev. Matthew Gworek Tender Shepherd of the flock, your beloved child has entered your kingdom and now lies cradled in your love. Sooth the hearts of his parents and bring peace to their lives. Enlighten their faith and give hope to their hearts. Loving God, grant mercy to your entire family in this [...]
Archbishop Leonard P. Blair Advances in science over the last century or more have revolutionized our ideas about the origin of the universe. Some of these advances are the work of Catholics. For example, a Catholic priest, Father Georges Lemaître, was the principal architect of the “Big Bang” theory. Others, like Stephen [...]
By Most Rev. Bishop Kenneth Povish When you think in December about Catholic devotions and practices that have fallen into disuse, the one that comes to my mind at once is the custom that prevailed in Polish-American homes in my boyhood and well into my adult years. It was the Sharing of the Wafer on [...]
Story by Sister Ann Shields I remember when I was a child that my father built a crèche out of balsam wood. We most often had three smaller Christmas trees that provided a backdrop for the manger. The figures were put in the last week before Christmas. For my family, it was just a custom, [...]