Catholic New York

A service member of the Ukrainian armed forces is seen at combat positions at the line of separation from Russian-backed rebels near the village of Novomykhalivka in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, Jan. 21. Pope Francis at his Jan. 23 Sunday Angelus said he is deeply concerned by growing tensions between Russia and Ukraine and called for a day of prayer for peace Jan. 26.

Pope Sets Jan. 26 As Day of Prayer for Peace In Ukraine

Saying he was worried about Ukraine and how a possible Russian-Ukrainian conflict could spread, Pope Francis proclaimed Jan. 26 as a day of prayer for peace in Ukraine. more

By CINDY WOODEN | 1/23/22

Catechists attend Pope Francis’ celebration of Mass marking Sunday of the Word of God in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican Jan. 23. At the Mass, the pope formally installed women and men in the ministries of lector and catechist.

Pope Confers Ministries of Lector, Catechist on Lay Women and Men

Highlighting the importance of the Bible in the life of faith and the role of lay women and men in sharing the Gospel, Pope Francis formally installed eight men and women in the ministry of lector and eight others in the ministry of catechist. more

By CINDY WOODEN | 1/23/22

U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., and other legislators are seen Jan. 21 during the annual March for Life rally in Washington, D.C.

Rally Speakers Confident About Abortion Law Changes But See Work Ahead

Speakers at the annual March for Life on Washington, D.C.’s National Mall Jan. 21 spoke of a likely tipping point in the current protest against legalized abortions in the United States, but they also urged the crowd to remain vigilant in their advocacy and support for the pro-life movement. more

By CAROL ZIMMERMANN | 1/21/22

Joe Donnelly, a Catholic lawyer and former U.S. senator from Indiana, is pictured in a March 4, 2015, photo at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind. He was confirmed Jan. 20 as U.S. ambassador to the Vatican.

Joe Donnelly is Confirmed as U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican

Catholic lawyer Joe Donnelly of Indiana is the new U.S. ambassador to the Holy See. more

1/21/22

St. Irenaeus of Lyon is pictured in a stained-glass window at the Basilica of Our Lady Immaculate in Guelph, Ontario.

Pope Declares St. Irenaeus a Doctor of the Church

Pope Francis has officially declared St. Irenaeus of Lyon a doctor of the Church. more

By JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES | 1/21/22

Synodality and Ecumenism Require Walking Together, Say Cardinals

All Christians are invited to pray for unity and continue to journey together, said Cardinals Mario Grech, general secretary of the Synod of the Bishops, and Cardinal Kurt Koch, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. more

By CAROL GLATZ | 1/18/22

People in St. Peter’s Square attend Pope Francis’ recitation of the Angelus from the window of his studio overlooking the square at the Vatican Jan. 16.

Christians Should Look For Signs of God’s Love in Their Lives, Pope Says

God likes to intervene behind the scenes and without fanfare, always ready to help and lift people up, Pope Francis said. more

By CAROL GLATZ | 1/18/22

The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in Washington, D.C. is seen in this illustration photo. The life and legacy of the slain civil rights leader is commemorated Jan. 17, which is a federal holiday. Beginning in 1970, a number of states and cities made his birthday, Jan. 15, a holiday. In 1983, Congress declared a federal holiday for Rev. King and set the annual observance for the third Monday of January.

Archbishop Gomez: Imitate Rev. King’s ‘Example, Prophetic Witness’ in Work for Justice

The president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops urged all people of goodwill to commemorate the life and legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. on the Jan. 17 holiday named for him by remembering “not only the justice he pursued, but how he pursued it.” more

1/17/22

Cardinal Dolan Urges Prayer to Protect Religious Rights on Religious Freedom Day

Cardinal Dolan called on people to promote religious freedom as a treasured right for all Americans as the country commemorates Religious Freedom Day Jan. 16. more

1/16/22

Court Blocks Vaccine Mandate for Businesses, Allows It for Health Workers

The Supreme Court in a 6-3 decision Jan. 13 blocked a rule by the Biden administration that would have required employees at large businesses to show proof of a Covid-19 vaccination or wear masks and get tested each week for the coronavirus. more

By CAROL ZIMMERMANN | 1/13/22

USCCB Invites Catholics to Take Part in ‘9 Days for Life’ Jan. 19-27

The 10th annual “9 Days for Life” novena, sponsored by the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, takes place this year from Jan. 19 to Jan. 27. more

1/13/22

Pope Hails as Heroes Parents Who Risk Everything for Their Kids

With so many problems and challenges in the world, especially worsened by the pandemic, people can find strength and guidance in St. Joseph, Pope Francis said. more

By CAROL GLATZ | 1/13/22

Pope Francis baptizes a baby as he celebrates Mass marking the feast of the Baptism of the Lord in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican Jan. 9. The pope baptized 16 infants.

Preserve Christian Identity Received at Baptism, Pope Says

Before baptizing 16 babies in the Sistine Chapel, Pope Francis reminded parents and godparents of their responsibility to care for and preserve the Christian identity the infants were about to receive. more

By JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES | 1/12/22

Pope to Install Catechists, Lectors at Word of God Celebration

At his celebration of Mass for the Sunday of the Word of God Jan. 23, Pope Francis will formally install new catechists and lectors—ministries open to women. more

1/12/22

Supreme Court Does Not Seem Convinced of Employer Vaccine-or-Test Rule

During two sets of oral arguments Jan. 7, the majority of Supreme Court justices questioned the Biden administration’s requirement that large businesses need their employees to show proof of Covid-19 vaccination or be tested while they were less dubious about the requirement that most health care workers be vaccinated. more

By CAROL ZIMMERMANN | 1/10/22

Pakistani Christian children play in front of tents provided for Christian families whose homes were set on fire by a mob, in Lahore, Pakistan, in this March 12, 2013, file photo. In a video message released by the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network Jan. 3, the pope dedicated his prayer intention for people who suffer from religious discrimination and persecution.

Religious Persecution an ‘Insane’ Act, Pope Says

To discriminate against or persecute those who profess their faith is an intolerable act that threatens the fraternal bonds shared by humanity, Pope Francis said. more

By JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES | 1/6/22

Journalists cover March for Life participants as they make their way toward the U.S. Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C. Jan. 29, 2021, amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Annual March for Life Still on This Year in Washington, D.C.

The 49th annual national March for Life—with a rally on the National Mall and march to the Supreme Court Jan. 21—will go on as scheduled this year amid a surge in the omicron variant in the nation’s capital. more

By KURT JENSEN | 1/6/22

Supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump climb on walls at the U.S. Capitol during a protest against the certification of the 2020 U.S. presidential election results by the U.S. Congress, in Washington, D.C. in this Jan. 6, 2021, file photo. A year after the assault on the Capitol, the Vatican newspaper says it was “a direct blow to the heart of American democracy.”

Vatican Newspaper Remembers Jan. 6 Siege as Attack on U.S. Democracy

The attack on the U.S. Capitol Jan. 6, 2021, “represented a direct blow to the heart of American democracy,” the Vatican newspaper said. more

By CINDY WOODEN | 1/6/22

Pope Francis celebrates Mass for the feast of Epiphany in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican Jan. 6.

Jesus Is Star Guiding People to Joy, Pope Says on Epiphany

Just as the Magi were guided by a shining star, Christians can rest assured that the light of Christ will guide them to a happy and meaningful life, Pope Francis said on the feast of the Epiphany. more

By JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES | 1/6/22

Elizabeth Ann Bayley, the future Mother Seton and future saint, was 19 when she married William Magee Seton, 25, a scion of a wealthy New York family and a prosperous young businessman. The couple had five children. William died in 1803 in Italy, and two years later Elizabeth became a Catholic. In 1809, she founded the U.S. Sisters of Charity in Emmitsburg, Md.

Mother Seton Shrine Launches Initiatives to Expand Awareness of U.S. Saint

The National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Emmitsburg, Md. is launching a series of initiatives to expand awareness of the first U.S.-born saint, it announced Jan. 4, on the saint’s feast day. more

1/5/22