Lord we pray "Help me to continually increase parish vitality and reflect the presence of Christ in the world."

Browsing News Entries

Browsing News Entries

Café Catholicism: Parishes Are Upping Their Coffee Game

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St. Zélie the Lacemaker

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When a Coffee ‘Side Hustle’ Turned Into a Calling

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Jul. 12 Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday

From Today's Gospel: "A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep, and when the sun rose it was scorched, and it withered for lack of roots. Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it. But some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit, a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold. Whoever has ears ought to hear." (Matt 13:3-9).

Czech Court to Weigh Clearing Cardinal Jailed by Communists

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Make This Summer a Summer of Prayer: Sit Quietly With Christ — Even on Vacation

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UK rattled by killing of pro-life Catholic politician Ann Widdecombe (NBC News)

An English pro-life Catholic politician was found dead with serious injuries on July 9, prompting a murder investigation.

A convert to Catholicism, Ann Widdecombe, 78, was a Member of Parliament (1987-2010) and a Member of the European Parliament (2019-20). She was also Minister of State for Employment (1993-95) and Minister of State for Prisons (1995-97) under Prime Minister John Major.

Bishop Nicholas Hudson of Plymouth told BBC that Widdecombe “was a woman of faith and a great public servant.”

“Our prayers, the prayers of all the community, across Plymouth Diocese, in Devon, Cornwall, Dorset, are very much with her and with her family and friends,” he said.

Parish becomes relief center in earthquake-ravaged La Guaira (Vatican News)

A parish in La Guaira, Venezuela, that survived the recent earthquakes has become a key center for relief efforts.

“The cathedral suffered extensive damage, and several churches will have to be demolished because of the effects of the earthquakes,” Vatican News reported. Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish remains structurally sound despite damage to the altar and the fall of statues from their niches.

“Never stop praying for Venezuela,” said Father Antonio Rella, the parish priest. “Not everyone can help materially, but a daily prayer for us is worth so much, because it reaches the throne of God, where it bears fruit.”