Author Archives: Tony Spence

Liturgy was first up at the Second Vatican Council

Posted on November 1, 2012 by Tony Spence

Did you ever wonder why the Mass is structured the way it is? Latin-rite Catholics — 90 percent of us — have been celebrating Mass in the ordinary form we know today for about 45 years. That is longer than … Continue reading →

Posted in CNS, Vatican | 2 Comments

CNS launches new Vatican II look-back project

Posted on October 12, 2012 by Tony Spence

Yesterday, Catholic News Service launched a new feature, “Vatican II: 50 years ago today,” a step back in time to the daily activities of the Second Vatican Council. Pope John XXIII called for an ecumenical council in 1959, the first … Continue reading →

Posted in Catholic press, CNS, Vatican | Comments Off on CNS launches new Vatican II look-back project

U.S. well represented among experts at Second Vatican Council

Posted on October 10, 2012 by Tony Spence

This week marks the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council in October 1962. We thought it would be a good opportunity to look back for the next year or so on some of the coverage of … Continue reading →

Posted in Catholic press, CNS, Vatican | 4 Comments

Preparing for Nov. 6 not a cut-and-dry exercise

Posted on September 11, 2012 by Tony Spence

Most polls show that American voters have already made up their minds for which presidential candidate they will cast their vote on Nov. 6. Most pundits agree that President Obama and Governor Romney are arm-wrestling over a handful of undecideds … Continue reading →

Posted in CNS | 22 Comments

Religion has big impact on how America gives

Posted on September 7, 2012 by Tony Spence

If you ever wondered whether religion makes a big impact on American generosity, wonder no more. It does. According to a new study released in the Aug. 23 issue of The Chronicle of Philanthropy, “regions of the country that are … Continue reading →

Posted in CNS, education, health care, social services | 6 Comments

Growth is good among Catholic colleges

Posted on September 4, 2012 by Tony Spence

Seven Catholic colleges and universities were among the nation’s largest schools, and five are among the fastest growing, according the the 2012-2013 Almanac published Aug. 31 by The Chronicle of Higher Education. The annual Almanac uses reports on diverse academic … Continue reading →

Posted in CNS, education | 4 Comments

The Latter-day Saints and their Scriptures

Posted on August 24, 2012 by Tony Spence

A lot is being written about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints these days since Gov. Mitt Romney has (almost) nailed the Republican nomination for president. There probably never has been more attention given to the LDS Church … Continue reading →

Posted in CNS | 13 Comments

Catholic colleges going greener every year

Posted on August 22, 2012 by Tony Spence

College campuses are trying harder all the time to go green and stay there. Sustainable practices help keep universities control waste and cost and teach students the importance of lifelong care of their environment. Every year, the Sierra Club, one … Continue reading →

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Six Catholic universities make Forbes top 100 list

Posted on August 16, 2012 by Tony Spence

Forbes magazine has issued its annual U.S. college and university rankings. Six Catholic schools made it into the top 100 out of the 650 schools listed this year. The colleges listed in the top 100 are University of Notre Dame,  … Continue reading →

Posted in CNS, education | 14 Comments

A historic Catholic-Jewish debate resonates today

Posted on May 29, 2012 by Tony Spence

There is an old French saying, “The more things change, the more things stay the same.” This might be said for the tough divisions that the Catholic community is feeling these days with other Christians, with non-Christians, and even among … Continue reading →

Posted in CNS | Comments Off on A historic Catholic-Jewish debate resonates today