Salvadoran youths find music provides path to escape cycle of violence
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador (CNS) — Music and participation in a symphony orchestra are giving 240 students the chance to steer clear of violence that plagues their country. Its members come from poor families and public schools marked by gang feuds.
Cardinal Pell calls for ‘no doctrinal back-flips’ at next family synod
Looking ahead to the October 2015 world Synod of Bishops on the family, Cardinal George Pell said the task for Catholics "over the next 12 months" is to explain "the necessity of conversion, the nature of the Mass," and "the purity of heart the Scriptures require of us to receive holy Communion."
R U texting in church? Put the phone down!
Entire families navigate their smartphones while sharing meals at restaurants. Students text in class. Parents take phone calls at their children's sporting events and plays. It's no surprise that cellphones affect even church.
Priest says taking ‘selfies,’ posting them a way to connect to students
"Some people think that if we're having fun, we're sinning. That's not the case. It's fun to be Catholic," Fr. Jason Blahnik explained prior to priesthood Sunday, which is celebrated nationwide Oct. 26. "There's a joy to it, living and loving people. It's a great life.
‘Without God, you can do nothing,’ says Scottish singer Susan Boyle
If you think singing in front of Simon Cowell would be terrifying -- well, you're not far wrong.
Historic U.S. pilgrimage with Black Madonna ends at Phoenix’s Polish parish
The worldwide pilgrimage of the traditional Christian icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa, also known as the Black Madonna, is ending its U.S. pilgrimage in the Diocese of Phoenix. Local Catholics have opportunities daily through Nov. 1 to venerate it.
Couple trusts in God throughout cancer diagnosis, high-risk pregnancy
Keith and Donielle Wilde know what it means to live this every day: "Jesus, I trust in you."
Despite some medical complications, Donielle "is doing very well" — and the baby is developing normally.
Olive harvest at Garden of Gethsemane unites faithful with Christ
The opportunity to help a group of Franciscan priests harvest olives in the Garden of Gethsemane offers a sense of hope amid the adversaries one man's family has faced in their own olive groves.
Pope Francis calls for abolishing death penalty and life imprisonment
Pope Francis called for abolition of the death penalty as well as life imprisonment, and denounced what he called a "penal populism" that promises to solve society's problems by punishing crime instead of pursuing social justice.
Bishop: Decision to house those monitored for Ebola ‘right thing to do’
DALLAS (CNS) — Dallas Bishop Kevin J. Farrell said that he followed the teaching of Christ and stepped in to house the fiancee of Ebola victim Thomas Eric Duncan and three others for several weeks at a diocesan facility because no one else would. On Oct. 20, Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins and Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings, among other officials, spoke at an early morning news conference saying area residents should be compassionate and welcoming of those who had been self-monitoring themselves.