An English bishop asked Catholics in England and Wales to mark the fifth anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq by praying for the Iraqi Christian community, which is "undergoing its own Calvary."
[ In Nation - World ]
Latest in Around the Diocese
The computer age has eliminated the term typewriter from common vernacular, but the keyboarding skills used on the devices are an essential part of everyday life for many.
With Michael Sorich's first Communion nearing the horizon, John and Lupita talked with the Catholic Explorer at their Bourbonnais home about sharing the idea of the true presence of Christ in the Eucharist with their children.
Cultivators “need a little help along the way” from the Lord, said Richard Kelch of St. Peter Parish in Clifton as the retired farmer remarked about the importance of the annual Soil and Seeds Mass moments before it began March 9 at his rural faith community.
Dear Friends in Christ,
In recent years, reports of the sexual abuse of young people by members of the clergy and others have brought great scandal and sadness to us Catholics and others.
Latest in People
Throughout her life, Nan Havens has wanted to be a professional singer. Over the decades, the parishioner of St. George Parish in Bourbonnais has performed at various venues across Kankakee County with rock ‘n’ roll and country bands.
Black History Month is celebrated across the nation in February. It is a time that people honor African-Americans that have made great contributions to society. Although he humbly disagrees with the ruling, retired Judge Raymond Bolden is among the crowd of noteworthy blacks making his own history in Joliet.
Inside the hospital’s chapel, he knelt respectfully before the Blessed Sacrament. Revering the Eucharist is a common practice for Catholics. But, eucharistic adoration might seem unusual to others, especially leaders of Protestant denominations. Nevertheless, the gentleman praying near the tabernacle that particular evening in Lafayette, Ind., was an evangelical minister.
The upbeat tempo and unique sound of Beatles songs are a noteworthy happening in the setting of a Catholic Mass. A praise and worship music group called Second Collection performs the eclectic music every other Saturday night at St. James the Apostle Parish in Glen Ellyn.
Latest in Youth
A simulated refugee experience titled “Run for Your Life” was held in January presented by Exodus World Services, a non-profit agency that mobilizes the Christian community to share God’s passionate love for refugees and to then put that love into action, according to Kathleen Kowalewski, director of religious education at St. Mary Parish.
Showing someone you care can require a lot more effort than purchasing a greeting card or a bouquet of flowers. A group of Darien Cub Scouts donated a Sunday afternoon to show residents at the Carmelite Carefree Village retirement home how much they care. The scouts showed up Feb. 3 to play games and interact with the senior residents.
Lisa Duffy of Holy Family Parish in Shorewood and Alexandra Fedosenko of Annunciation Byzantine Church in Homer Glen recently told the Catholic Explorer that serving meals at Daybreak Shelter in Joliet among other JCA humanitarian efforts started them on a path that led to mission work in Mexico. They took a break from their work Feb. 1 to discuss their experiences during a telephone conversation.
Though it might not have been midnight in Bethlehem, it was definitely bitter cold when the eighth grade students at St. Mary School in West Chicago reenacted the birth of Jesus twice on the evening of Dec. 2 outside their school.
Nation - World
Televangelist's nod raises questions about who endorsements influence
When the Rev. John Hagee, the televangelist, gave U.S. Sen. John McCain of Arizona a ringing endorsement in his run for president, the opposite of an "amen chorus" sounded from well beyond Rev. Hagee's evangelical Cornerstone Church in San Antonio.
When the Rev. John Hagee, the televangelist, gave U.S. Sen. John McCain of Arizona a ringing endorsement in his run for president, the opposite of an "amen chorus" sounded from well beyond Rev. Hagee's evangelical Cornerstone Church in San Antonio.
Pope calls death of Iraqi archbishop 'act of inhuman violence'
Pope Benedict XVI called the kidnapping and death of an Iraqi archbishop "an act of inhuman violence that offends the dignity of the human being and seriously harms the ... coexistence among the beloved Iraqi people."
Pope Benedict XVI called the kidnapping and death of an Iraqi archbishop "an act of inhuman violence that offends the dignity of the human being and seriously harms the ... coexistence among the beloved Iraqi people."
Catholic leaders reflect on Brett Favre's impact on, off field
Catholic leaders in Green Bay and Mississippi paused to reflect on the impact the near-certain Hall of Fame quarterback had on and off the field.
Catholic leaders in Green Bay and Mississippi paused to reflect on the impact the near-certain Hall of Fame quarterback had on and off the field.
New sins include pollution, drugs, genetic manipulation
New forms of sin have arisen in the area of biotechnology, economics and ecology, and many involve questions of individual rights and wider social effects, said Bishop Gianfranco Girotti.
New forms of sin have arisen in the area of biotechnology, economics and ecology, and many involve questions of individual rights and wider social effects, said Bishop Gianfranco Girotti.
Latest in Entertainment
"A person's a person, no matter how small!" So runs the motto of the title character in "Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who" (20th Century Fox), an enchanting computer-generated animated adaptation of Theodore Geisel's classic 1954 children's book.
The film begins with some portentous narration solemnly intoned by Omar Sharif putting the film in its fictional historical perspective. But once the action gets going, "10,000 B.C." (Warner Bros.) proves an all too familiar and only fitfully involving epic taking place at the end of the Ice Age.
"College Road Trip" (Disney) is an unobjectionable, though uninspired, family comedy. While the film conveys good messages about parental concern and the need for trust, most of its humor is too implausible to really work.
This modest little film is just endearing enough to earn some sort of cult status before long.
From the Bishop
Pain is temporary, love is eternal
I once saw a TV commercial claiming that a certain mattress would provide “a lifetime of temporary relief.” I laughed out loud. This mattress would ease your suffering for a lifetime, but only a few hours at a time. Forever temporarily – isn’t that an oxymoron?
I once saw a TV commercial claiming that a certain mattress would provide “a lifetime of temporary relief.” I laughed out loud. This mattress would ease your suffering for a lifetime, but only a few hours at a time. Forever temporarily – isn’t that an oxymoron?
Triduum is a worthwhile three-day pilgrimage
On Holy Thursday evening, Catholics often visit several other parishes, because every parish stays open for a few hours after the liturgy for quiet prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. This year I am inviting the young adults of our diocese to join me on a pilgrimage of seven church visits that evening.
On Holy Thursday evening, Catholics often visit several other parishes, because every parish stays open for a few hours after the liturgy for quiet prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. This year I am inviting the young adults of our diocese to join me on a pilgrimage of seven church visits that evening.
Questions to consider during Lent
In recent weeks I have been struck by a theme that often emerges in the Lenten liturgical readings: We are chosen by God.
In recent weeks I have been struck by a theme that often emerges in the Lenten liturgical readings: We are chosen by God.
Forgiveness is available in the sacrament of reconciliation
Commenting on the parable of the prodigal son, Father Carroll Stuhlmueller once wrote, “The most difficult of reconciliations is always between relatives who have been split apart by money, scandal and wasteful living. Civil wars are always the bloodiest with the deepest scars.”
Commenting on the parable of the prodigal son, Father Carroll Stuhlmueller once wrote, “The most difficult of reconciliations is always between relatives who have been split apart by money, scandal and wasteful living. Civil wars are always the bloodiest with the deepest scars.”
