The top Catholic stories of this past year also included the Pope’s meeting with Fidel Castro and the Synod on the New Evangelization. Deacon Pedro sits with S+L producers Kris Dmytrenko, Alicia Ambrosio and Sebastian Gomes to explore the highlights of the Church in 2012. What do you think were the highlights of 2012? Share ...read more

A religious novice brings the child Jesus in during a visit of the Heralds of the Gospel to the Asilo Irmãos, home for the elderly in Maputo, Mozambique – Photo credit: Gustavo Kralj/GaudiumPress ...read more

From December 17-23, I’d like to share with you these antiphons, that you will pray with them and they will help you continue to prepare for the Advent of our Lord. May they become part of your Advent tradition as they are becoming part of mine. For December 23, the antiphon is based on Isaiah ...read more

An altar girl holds a candle during Gaudete Sunday Mass at Sts. Pedro e Paulo Chapel in Maputo, Mozambique, one of the poorest in the Capital. According to the 2007 census, 56.1% of the population of Mozambique are Christian. Religious communities are dispersed throughout the country. – Photo: Gustavo Kralj/Gaudiumpress ...read more

The term “synod of bishops” seems to have become a household name among certain Catholics. Most have, at least heard of one of these: The Synod on the Word of God, the Synod on the Middle East, or the recent Synod on the New Evangelisation. But 15 years ago, many of you probably did not ...read more

Most of us are concerned for the environment. Politicians, organizations and celebrities are constantly urging us to get “greener” and challenge us to “act more responsibly.” It seems that nothing today is more important than the need to take better care of our planet. On the other hand, another movement is gaining strength: Persons who ...read more

Outside the Priory of Our Lady of Ephesus in northwest Missouri, The Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles, in an effort to fulfill the many orders coming in through their website, take in delivery of their ADVENT AT EPHESUS CD. It’s available worldwide on November 20, 2012 from De Montfort Music/Decca. – Photo Credit: The Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles ...read more

Join us in prayer for the intentions entrusted to us by Pope Benedict XVI. For November 2012, we join the Holy Father in praying for: Ministers of the Gospel. That bishops, priests and all ministers of the Gospel may bear the courageous witness of fidelity to the crucified and risen Lord. Pilgrim Church. That the ...read more

I’m in the diocese of Gaspé, QC today for World Mission Sunday (29th Sunday in Ordinary Time), October 21, 2012. It is the day when we pray, not only for missionaries all over the world, but also that we can all get in touch with our missionary spirit. When I asked Baptistine Ralamboarison, Secretary General ...read more

Sister Marianne Cope (formerly Barbara Koob) was born January 23, 1838 and baptized the following day in what is now Hessen, West Germany. The young Sister Marianne worked as a teacher and hospital administrator in New York. In 1870, she was elected superior of St. Joseph’s Hospital in Syracuse. Seven years later she became second ...read more