As Catholics, there is no single individual to whom we give more honor than the Blessed Virgin Mary. Since the early Church, the clear teaching in our doctrine is that, from the moment of her conception in the womb of Saint Ann, her mother, Mary was freed from the stain of Original Sin, so that she could be the spotless, sinless vessel to carry the Son of God made flesh, Our Lord Jesus Christ. Mary herself is the Immaculate Conception. 

When the word “Thanksgiving” is uttered, what is the thought that most quickly comes to mind? Is it putting aside the demands and pressures of daily life to gather once again with loved ones around a feast, to remember how blessed we have been in the last year, and pray for more such blessings in the years to come? 

As the nation comes together on Nov. 11 to honor all those who served in the armed services on Veterans Day, we would like to draw attention to the role of military chaplains. 

“Thank God we’re not where we were, but praise the Lord we ain’t where we’re supposed to be.” Those words were spoken recently by Deacon Arthur Miller, a Catholic clergyman who was discussing the brutal 1955 lynching-murder in Mississippi of Emmett Till, who had been a neighbor of his in 1950s Chicago. 

While prescription opioids and heroin usually make the headlines, there is another drug that has seemingly crept up on the mainstream out of nowhere despite a more than 600% spike in deaths since 2015 — fentanyl. 

The federal government announced last week that Social Security benefits will rise 8.7% beginning next year. 

At the liturgical memorial of St. Francis of Assisi on Oct. 4, a number of animals suddenly appeared in parish churches throughout Brooklyn and Queens.

The horrific killing of FDNY Lt. Alison Russo-Elling last week brings heartbreak to a city reeling from escalating violence against women. 

Marriage is sadly misunderstood in today’s world. We have confused the contract of marriage with the sacrament of marriage.