Vatican finances have taken a hard hit from the coronavirus pandemic and its lockdowns, Pope Francis said, but he promised Vatican employees none of them would lose their jobs. more

A once-every-two-decade conjunction involving the solar system’s two gas giants will give earthbound observers a look at a so-called “Christmas Star” on the winter solstice. more

As we come to the end of 2020, many of us will be glad to see the calendar change. From the coronavirus to murder hornets, civil unrest and a contentious election, this has not been an easy year. Who … more

“I want to go with Sissy and Margot,” asserted their overly adventurous underage sister. “No,” replied mom and dad in unison. Four-year-old Terry had learned that whenever her parents were … more

A Nov. 23 ruling by the New York State Supreme Court on Staten Island granted the relief sought by Catholic schools that the New York City Department of Education provide the same Covid-19 testing for its students as it does for public school students, as required by New York state law. more

Catholic schools in the archdiocese, along with several Catholic school parents, have filed a lawsuit seeking to compel the New York City Department of Education to live up to its legal obligation to provide Covid-19 testing for its students, as required by New York state law. The case was filed Nov. 18 in New York State Supreme Court on Staten Island. A hearing is set for Monday, Nov. 23, at 2:30 p.m. more

November traditionally has been dedicated to praying for our deceased brothers and sisters. This flows from the fact that the month begins with All Saints Day Nov. 1. and All Souls Day Nov. 2. In … more

The following statement was released by Cardinal Dolan on the “McCarrick Report,” issued today by the Vatican. more

Ninety percent of all human communication takes place from the neck up. The remaining 10 percent consists mostly of body language below our collarbone, which includes our often-taken-for-granted … more

Auxiliary Bishop Gerardo Colacicco, drawing on the day’s Gospel, referred to Jesus as a “cushion” to bring us comfort and security during life’s storms in his homily at the 43rd annual … more

Since the re-opening of our churches last summer, I’ve made it a point to visit, unannounced, various parishes, in order to celebrate Mass and spend some time with parishioners. At each visit, I am not allowed to enter the church until my temperature is taken; ushers are there to distribute face masks to anyone who has left theirs at home. Hand sanitizing stations are located around the church, and social distancing and crowd limitations are enforced. When Mass is over, I slip back into the church, and always find eight or so parishioners already hard at work, scrubbing and sanitizing the pews, door handles, and altar area before the next Mass. more

The Diocese of Brooklyn filed a lawsuit in federal court Oct. 8 against New York state, charging Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s new orders reducing church capacity violates the First Amendment’s guarantee of the free exercise of religion. more

This has been a difficult year. Whichever way we look at it, either from a secular perspective or a religious one, we will not be sorry to see 2020 end. From the tragic stories about the coronavirus … more

The Catholic vote and the coronavirus subtly headlined the annual fundraiser of the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Oct. 1, livestreamed from the Manhattan residence of Cardinal Dolan due to Covid-19. more

Garbage collection and recycling days can differ for many reasons, not the least of which is location, location, location. I recall the first time I visited a recreational theme park and discovered … more

El padre Orlando Rodríguez Jr., Sch.P., sacerdote de la Orden de las Escuelas Pías (o Padres Escolapios), fue ordenado el 29 de agosto en la Iglesia del Santísimo Salvador en San Juan, Puerto Rico. El nuevo padre llego el 4 de septiembre a la parroquia de la Anunciación en West Harlem para comenzar con su tarea de párroco. El padre Rodríguez ya había servido en la Anunciación por espacio de un año mientras terminaba sus estudios en el Seminario de San José en Dunwoodie, Yonkers. El padre Rodríguez … more

For the last three years I have had the great gift of celebrating Mass every Monday morning for the Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal. For the first two years I would go to Our Lady of Guadalupe … more

One of my respected professors in graduate school taught a course called general semantics. Although the title may sound frivolous, the topics he covered were actually quite profound. This discipline … more

Throughout the liturgical year the Church sets aside the months of May and October to have a specific focus on the Blessed Virgin Mary. This makes sense as May is a month with Mother’s Day and the … more

Two Sisters of Life made final vows on Aug. 6, the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord. Cardinal Dolan served as principal celebrant and homilist of the Mass of Perpetual Profession at the Sisters of Life Motherhouse, Annunciation in Suffern. Father Bernardino Maria Soukup, C.F.R., concelebrated. The Mass was private due to coronavirus restrictions. more