by Francis X. Rocca VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Pope Francis had been pope for less than six days when he was formally installed March 19, but he had already made a distinctive and overwhelmingly favorable impression on the world. That is an especially remarkable accomplishment given that, until his election, the former Cardinal Jorge Mario […]
Month: March 2013
Jesus’ Cross Is a Symbol of Suffering, Love and Hope
by Father John P. Cush One afternoon after Sept. 11, 2001, I was sitting in St. Helen Church in Howard Beach, my first priestly assignment. Praying Evening Prayer in the Church around 4:30 p.m. became a regular habit of mine in my years in the parish. As I sat in the pew nearest to the […]
When Is It Time to Retire
by Maureen Pratt Much has been said of the historic nature of Pope Benedict XVI’s decision to resign, but I am struck by something much more personal, something that resonates with those of us who are aging. When we approach a certain age, frailties begin to surface and they interfere with the desire to keep […]
Now Entering a New Era of Transparency
by Father William J. Byron, S.J. AS THE WORLD awaited word on who would be elected to succeed Pope Benedict XVI as leader of the Roman Catholic Church, there was much talk about the need for reform and transparency in the Roman Curia – the Church’s central administration – and the virtual impossibility of anyone […]
50 Children: Documenting an Extraordinary Act of Courage
by Father Robert Lauder IN THE COURSE on philosophy and film that I give at St. John’s University I try to help the students analyze films both in terms of the theme or message and also in terms of how the theme or message is presented. A film may have a wonderful theme and a […]
Cough Could Be Caused By Post-Nasal Drip
Dear Dr. Garner, My son has a constant cough. He is 15 years old and I’m so upset. It’s very frustrating. Day and night, all we hear is coughing, and he is constantly blowing his nose. I’m at my wits’ end. Can you help me? My doctor says it could be post-nasal drip. Could you […]
Way of the Cross Begins
Even before the inauguration of the Petrine ministry of the Bishop of Rome on March 18, the tremendous groundswell of hope and good will attending the election of Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio on March 13 as the 266th successor of St. Peter is itself testimony to the truth of the Gospel. As Pope Francis reminded […]
New Pope Has Caught Public’s Imagination
The diocesan Mass of thanksgiving for the election of Pope Francis had a decidedly Hispanic tone. Celebrated at St. James Cathedral-Basilica in Downtown Brooklyn, Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio was joined by Auxiliary Bishop Octavio Cisneros and about 25 concelebrants. Not only did Bishop DiMarzio preach the first part of his homily in Spanish in honor of […]
Guided by Scripture and Tradition
My dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, In a “chat” with the priests and clergy of Rome following his abdication of the ministry of St. Peter, our Emeritus Pope, Benedict XVI, spoke about the Church’s understanding of the Second Vatican Council. He gave this address without a prepared text or written notes. This only […]
Brooklyn Was in the Square to Greet Francis
by Father John P. Cush What a week it’s been! The excitement and anticipation had been building here in Rome. On Tuesday, March 12, I attended the Mass for the election for the Holy Father at St. Peter’s Basilica, celebrated by Angelo Cardinal Sodano. On Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning, several of us American priests […]