The percentage of Americans who see Christmas as a religious holiday continues to slide across nearly all demographic lines.
Month: December 2017
Miraculous Memories
Dear Editor: What a beautiful experience to read Mrs. Virgadamo’s account of her life in Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal parish. Thank you for sharing your heartwarming story! What a grand way for you and your husband to have grown in that environment and then to have raised your family there.
Babes in Bethlehem Receive Franciscan Aid
December, when all eyes are on the baby Jesus, the Holy Land Family Hospital of Bethlehem wants others to think about modern-day babies in the city in the West Bank where the Gospel says Christ was born.
Catholics Have Rights Too
Dear Editor: A recent letter noted past letters vilifying Trump but didn’t go far enough in noting how some particulars of that contempt, although accepted among many Catholics, are an affront to Catholic values.
Death Penalty Executions and Support Near Historic Low in US
Two months after Pope Francis’s condemnation of the death penalty as “contrary to the Gospel,” the Death Penalty Information Center (DPIC) announced that executions were at a near historic low in the United States.
Changing Our Prayers?
Dear Editor: Now that Pope Francis has suggested some changes to the “Our Father,” how about some changes to the “Hail Mary”? As a parent, former teacher, and coach, I always looked to reinforce the positive in those children who were entrusted to my care.
Vatican Nativity Scene Captures Spirit of St. Francis
The Nativity scene in St. Peter’s Square is not getting rave reviews: The backdrop does not look like a stable and the characters in need – hungry, naked, dead, imprisoned – don’t exactly evoke a silent night when all was cozy, calm and bright.
Gov. Cuomo Vetoes Bill That Could Have Helped Catholic Schools
The New York State Catholic Conference was informed that Governor Andrew Cuomo vetoed legislation that would have averted cuts in state reimbursements to Catholic and other nonpublic schools.
Fears, Hopes of All Years Still Rest in Bethlehem
Palestinians leaders called for three days of protests following U.S. President Donald Trump’s Dec. 6 official recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, and demonstrations have broken out in the West Bank, Jordan and other parts of the Muslim world.
At 80, Deacon Lima Continues to Serve, Inspire Others
One of the staff members that we met was Deacon Ramon Lima, then-secretary to Msgr. Cisneros. I was immediately struck by Deacon Lima’s intelligence, humility, piety and devotion, both to his family and to the Church. I could not have known then how powerfully he would impact my life as a seminarian and later as a priest.