Glass half full: Could Holy Land water crisis unify?

JERUSALEM — How many times a day do you flush the toilet? How often do you get your car washed? Do you turn the faucet off when you soap up your hands? For most people in Western countries these things are part of daily life, and usually little thought is given to the amount of [...]

More priests staying in shape

In late June, fellow CNS reporter Chaz Muth published a piece taking an in-depth look at the health of Catholic priests. Muth spoke with several priests from around the country who are staying in shape as well as other church officials responsible for vocations.
The Florida Catholic recently published this story on two priests from the [...]

Preparing for the Olympics … the Jesuit way

The worldwide buzz continues to build for the Beijing Olympics, which will begin Aug. 8. Eyes from around the world will be focused on two American swimmers, Michael Phelps and Natalie Hoff, as they demonstrate their athleticism with world-record-breaking times and growing piles of medals. (Phelps won six gold and two bronze in 2004.)
What few will [...]

Refugee Catholics and descendants grateful for freedom

About 6,000 worshippers, most of whom have immigrated to the U.S. West Coast from countries throughout the world, recently made a pilgrimage to Portland, Ore., to participate in a Freedom Mass.
Portland Archbishop John G. Vlazny told the refugees and their descendants that ”freedom is a right in this nation,” but reminded them that “freedom comes, first and [...]

Getting tickets for an audience with the pope

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Vatican has just made it a bit easier for folks looking to come to Rome to attend one of the pope’s weekly general audiences or liturgical ceremonies.
Just a few weeks ago, the Prefecture of the Papal Household revamped its Web site giving people the information and the official form they need to request the free tickets. Previously [...]

New Jersey Catholic hospitals to feel sting of Charity Care cuts

Nine Catholic hospitals in New Jersey must learn how to serve the poor with less money, since there has been a major reduction in state funding for Charity Care at these health care facilities.
New Jersey’s governor signed a budget that reduces Charity Care for indigent patients without health insurance by $111 million.
“Health care access for [...]

Catholic Biblical Federation makes China a priority

Amid continued unsubstantiated rumors about lack of Bibles in China, a commentary by the Asian church news agency UCA News sheds some light on the use of the Bible on the mainland. The commentary by Cecilia Chui, Northeast Asia subregional coordinator for the Catholic Biblical Federation, speaks of how the federation, at its recent meeting in Tanzania, [...]

Sibling musicians see music as ministry

After years of blood, sweat and tears, four siblings from the De Leon family in Germantown, Md., have begun to appreciate that their music ministry draws them closer to God. Their story appears in The Catholic Standard, newspaper of the Archdiocese of Washington.
At first glance at their photo, one is reminded of the 1970s sitcom [...]

Bishop Robinson, celibacy and sexual abuse

Sulpician Father Gerald Coleman doesn’t dispute assertions made in retired Australian Bishop Geoffrey Robinson’s book that cases of sexual abuse of children by priests were often mishandled by the Catholic Church. However, Father Coleman does take issue with the book blaming much of the problem on priestly celibacy.
Read Father Coleman’s guest commentary in Catholic San Francisco.

Bozel siblings share 189 years of ministry in Baltimore

For some Catholic families it’s a huge honor to have one member enter a religious vocation — which makes the Bozel family of Baltimore three times as proud, with three siblings serving 189 years of ministry so far.
Their tale was published in The Catholic Review, newspaper of the Archdiocese of Baltimore.