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INDEPENDENCE, Calif. (AP) -- We were trudging up the side of a mountain on skis to measure California's massive snowpack when a late blast of winter stopped us in our tracks....
NORWICH, N.Y. (AP) -- A couple decided to kill their disabled adoptive son and cover up the crime with a house fire after watching the Oscar-winning movie "Manchester by the Sea," according to the New York prosecutor handling the case....
MOSCOW (AP) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin met with U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in Moscow on Wednesday as the two countries traded sharp accusations about a chemical weapons attack in Syria....
Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation now has its first state Catholic college. The State Catholic Institute (STAKatN) opened on 6 April in Pontianak, the capital of the West Kalimantan province. Originally founded in 2006 as the Santo Agustinus Pastoral Institute, the new government-run educational institution began the long process of state accreditation in 2010, which recently ended with official approval from the Ministry of Religious Affairs. Andreas, a local Catholic, spoke to AsiaNews noting that the milestone was achieved due to the efforts of important local Catholic figures, such as the provincial governor, the bishop and priests. Religious Affairs Minister Lukman Hakim Saiffudin, West Kalimantan Governor Cornelis M H, Archbishop Agustinus Agus of Pontianak took part in the opening ceremony. Arch. Agus invited all former students to adhere to the Church's mission in the province, so that Catholic education can remain ...
ACTS 10:34a, 37-43; COL 3:1-4; JOHN 20: 1-9 “He is not here.” Egyptian pyramids are world-famous as one of the “seven Wonders” of the ancient world. But they are actually gigantic tombs containing the mummified bodies of Egyptian Pharaohs. Westminster Abby is famous, and thousands visit it because the dead bodies of famous writers, philosophers and politicians are entombed there. But there is a Shrine of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem, and pilgrims from all over the world visit a tomb there which is empty with a note at its entrance which says, “He is not here.” It is famous because Jesus Christ Who was once buried there rose from the dead, leaving an empty tomb, as He had told his disciples he would. Thus, He worked the most important miracle in His life, defying the laws of nature and proving that He is God. We rejoice at this great and unique event by celebrating Easter.Significance of Easter: Easter is the greatest and the most importa...
Retired Indian Bishop S. Edward Francis of Sivagangai, in Tamil Nadu state, passed away on Wednesday, 11 April. He was 86. His funeral Mass was scheduled for Wednesday, 12 April, in St Justin’s Higher Sec School campus, Sivagangai and his mortal remains will be laid to rest in St. Alangara Annai Cathedral, Sivagangai. Bishop Edward Francis was born on 3 June 1930 at Sendamaram, Tamil Nadu. He was ordained priest on 25 March 1957. When St. Pope John Paul II created the Diocese of Sivagangai on 3 July, 1987, he appointed Bishop Francis its first bishop. He was consecrated bishop on 30 August, 1987. When he stepped down from office on 1 September 2005 after reaching the retirement age of 75, Coadjutor Bishop Jebamalai Susaimanickam succeeded him. Bishop Edward Francis was a priest for 60 years and a Bishop for 29 years. Sivagangai is a suffragan of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Madurai.
The Chaldean patriarch in his Easter message released on April 9 in Baghdad highlights the suffering and daily grief endured by Christians in Iraq and the world.The Chaldean Catholic Church has dedicated 2017 as the Year of Peace. For the patriarch, Holy Week culminating in the Easter celebration offers a fresh hope to breathe new life into prayer and reflection, reconciliation and dialogue.Find below Patriarch Louis Raphael Sako’s message in its entirety 1. Christians in Iraq (as in the whole world) are getting ready these days to celebrate the glorious Pascal – Resurrection, in spite of their suffering and daily grief, due to racism that they have faced and are still facing because the unfairly made decisions and unjust legislations; in addition to the heartbreaking attack by terrorists causing serious wounds that cannot be ignored, especially for expelling them from their homes. Therefore, we expect the government officials and reli...
(Vatican Radio) European Bishops are encouraging young people to take action and work for the good of their communities.The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) has given its support for the creation of the European Solidarity Corps (ESC). The program will foster an environment where young people can volunteer and get involved in the community.In a press statement, the Bishops note that “the ESC can help young people to take up this role in lending their ‘own personal efforts for the good of the community in general and, in particular, for the good of the weakest and neediest’”The ESC was launched last December, after President Jean-Claude Juncker of the European Commission had pitched the idea. He said during his State of the Union speech: “By voluntarily joining the European Solidarity Corps, these young people will be able to develop their skills and get not only work but also invaluable human experience.&rdqu...
Fr. Reggie Malicdem, Rector of the Manila Cathedral, encouraged the faithful not to be afraid or embarrassed to go to confession and be more open to its “healing power”.Catholics he said, should not let fear keep them from receiving the peace the sacrament provides. He said that being ashamed or scared are common feelings and reasonable for people to feel that way because it’s somehow part of the process of asking for an apology. “That’s humility but let us not allow them to keep us from experiencing this unique gift the church provides for the faithful,” Fr. Malicdem said.“Don’t be scared or ashamed so that you will see and receive the benefit from the Sacrament of Confession because we know that God’s mercy is infinite,” he said. He added that a common question asked regarding the sacrament is why Catholics should confess to a priest when they can pray directly to God. He said God could have easily communicated to...
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has invited Christians to contemplate the Cross and to celebrate the holy days leading to Easter.Continuing his catechesis on Christian hope, the Pope was addressing the crowds gathered in St. Peter's Square for the weekly Wednesday General Audience.Listen to the report by Linda Bordoni: Unlike worldly hopes, which fail to bring lasting satisfaction Pope Francis told the faithful that “our Christian hope is grounded in God’s eternal love”.Reflecting on the Gospel of John, the Pope recalled Jesus’ words as he entered Jerusalem: “unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit”.These words, he said, can help us understand the mystery of God’s promise – think of a tiny seed that falls to the ground; if it remains closed unto itself nothing happens, if it breaks open it gives life to an ear of wheat, and then to a plant t...
