Jaymie Stuart Wolfe: Stories untold: Free people of color and the Catholic faith

Black History Month is officially observed every February, but there’s something unfortunate about that. Don’t get me wrong. It’s great to recognize the contributions of Black Americans. But dedicating a specific month to doing so seems to have had the unintended side effect of limiting the recognition they’ve earned to a paltry 28 days of the year.

Sister Constance Veit: Let us join the hymn to human dignity

For this Jubilee Year the Church has been given a beautiful, multilingual hymn, “Pilgrims of Hope.” If you participate in any Jubilee events, whether local or international, you will no doubt hear the uplifting melody and inspiring lyrics of this hymn.

Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades: Enforce border law, but don’t violate migrants’ freedom to worship

In recent weeks, President Donald Trump has taken steps to make it easier for immigration officials to conduct enforcement actions in “protected areas” (often referred to as “sensitive locations”), including places of worship. In other words, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security can arrest noncitizens at church, even for non-criminal offenses. Parishioners are afraid.

Bishop Martin: Catholic schools unite us in hope

This week we celebrate National Catholic Schools Week, and this year we highlight our Catholic schools as “United in Faith and Community.” This celebration comes during a very special time in the Church – a Jubilee Year, which only happens once every 25 years. Pope Francis has designated 2025 as the Jubilee Year of Hope.

Michael R. Heinlein: ‘We can go to Mass closer to the saint!’

One of the enduring memories from a recent family pilgrimage to Italy occurred early one morning when my two oldest children, ages 7 and 5, accompanied me to morning Mass at the tomb of St. Francis of Assisi. While we arrived a little early for the once-a-month English Mass scheduled there, we could see there wouldn’t be a seat.

Greg Erlandson: Did you hear the one about the laughing pope?

Pope Francis has made it abundantly clear over the years that he is no fan of “sourpuss” Catholics, whom he calls “querulous and disillusioned pessimists” (“Joy of the Gospel,” 85). On this subject, he echoes Jesus’ own condemnation of sourpuss religious leaders who make a big show of their fasting and religious piety. “Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward” (Mt 6:16), was Jesus’ curt commentary.

Bishop Robert Barron: The witness of a consecrated life

Recently, the diary of a young North Korean soldier killed in Ukraine came to light. What attracted most commentary was the revelation that he and his unfortunate colleagues were being used, essentially, as bait for the deadly drones that hover over the battlefields of that beleaguered country. What I found even more desperately sad, however, was a more personal truth that was laid bare in the pages of that diary.

Father Peter Ascik: Pope calls for ‘firm commitment’ to life – what’s yours?

The birth of Jesus shows us that God’s love is not an abstract idea. It is a relationship with a real person.

This was Pope Francis’ message as he reflected on the motherhood of Mary in a homily kicking off the New Year.