BISMARCK, N.D. (CNS) – The North Dakota Legislature voted to put a referendum on the 2014 ballot that would amend the state constitution to say that “the inalienable right to life of every human being at any stage of development must be recognized and protected.” “It doesn’t ban abortion. It doesn’t ban anything,” said Christopher […]
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Pope Skipped Events To Minister in Slums
by Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Even though Pope Francis is very close to his family, he would often skip their barbecues to spend Sundays or holidays in Buenos Aires’ slums, the pope’s sister said. “That’s the way he is: totally devoted to the mission of a priest; he is the pastor of […]
Stations of the Cross in Silhouette
Do something different this Holy Week — see the Stations of the Cross presented in silhouette on Good Friday, March 29, starting at 7:30 p.m. at St. Mary’s Church, located at 10-08 49th Ave. in Long Island City. All are welcome. For more details, call 786-0705. Photo courtesy of St. Mary’s Church
Palm Sunday Celebrations in Rome, Argentina and Paraguay
Pope Francis, seated at left, begins Palm Sunday Mass at the obelisk in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican March 24. Pope Francis celebrated his first Palm Sunday Mass as pope, telling an overflow crowd in St. Peter’s Square that Christ’s death on the cross is a source of eternal consolation and joy. “A Christian […]
Palm Sunday in Bensonhurst
It was standing room only when the Spanish-speaking community of Bensonhurst celebrated Palm Sunday at St. Athanasius Church. Pictured is Father Gabriel Toro, coordinator of the neighborhood’s Hispanic apostolate, preaching from the pulpit prior to the outdoors procession. Photo © Torres Photo Studio
Bishops: Poor Are the Priority
by Dennis Sadowski WASHINGTON (CNS) – The needs of poor and vulnerable Americans must remain at the top of the country’s spending priorities as Congress debates the federal budget in the coming weeks, the chairmen of two U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops committees said. Holding firm to earlier stances, Bishop Stephen E. Blaire of Stockton, […]
Pope: Religion Reminds People There Is a God
by Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) – For the good of all people, the care of the poor and the future of the Earth, religions must cooperate in reminding modern men and women that God exists and has a plan for their lives and their behavior, Pope Francis said. “The Catholic Church knows the importance […]
Bishops Continue to Oppose HHS Mandate
WASHINGTON (CNS) – New proposed regulations governing the contraceptive mandate under the Affordable Care Act continue to violate basic principles of religious freedom, said the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). In comments filed March 20 with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the USCCB raised a series of concerns, among them being […]
State Budget Includes More Aid for Private Education
The state budget agreement reached by Gov. Andrew Cuomo and legislative leaders increases funding for Catholic and other religious and independent schools by $13.5 million over the governor’s proposed budget released in January. The funds include an additional $9 million in reimbursements for the Comprehensive Attendance Policy (CAP) program, as well as $4.5 million in […]
Charities, Notre Dame Team Up
Alumni from the University of Notre Dame teamed up with Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens to renovate St. Rose of Lima Church, Rockaway Beach, which had been damaged by Hurricane Sandy. Over a dozen volunteers aided in the clean-up of the parish’s basement and painted the walls and ceilings with a fresh coat of paint. […]