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Pope Francis
By Justin McLellan
VATICAN CITY — The world and the Catholic Church must respect and defend women and foster a motherly care for others to end dehumanizing cycles of violence, Pope Francis said. “The church needs Mary in order to recover her own feminine face, to resemble more fully the woman, virgin and mother, who is her model […]
Pope Francis
By Justin McLellan
VATICAN CITY — Song and music are gifts capable of touching the hearts of young people, drawing them out of spirals of anxiety and bringing them closer to God, Pope Francis said. Greeted with song Dec. 30 by young people from the International Foundation of Pueri Cantores — an organization that promotes sacred music and […]
Bishop Burbidge
By Bishop Michael F. Burbidge
Brothers and Sisters in Christ, January marks Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Few crimes embody the depravity and cruelty of sin like human trafficking. The human person was created in God’s image and likeness, born with the hope of having the opportunity to flourish and grow. Sadly, some in our world see people only as a […]
Bishop Burbidge
By Bishop Michael F. Burbidge
Brothers and Sisters, On January 1, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God and the World Day of Prayer for Peace. Recognizing our many brothers and sisters who are living in war-torn conditions, we ask the Blessed Mother to intercede for them and ask her Son, the Prince of […]
Columns
By Fr. Joseph M. Rampino
Dec. 24 Lk 1:26-38 When we read this passage, the story of the angel Gabriel’s appearance to Mary, our attention often settles either on the angel’s initial greeting, or on Mary final response. “Hail full of grace. The Lord is with you.” “May it be done to me according to your word.” This is, of […]
National
The U.S. bishops’ annual novena for the protection of human life, 9 Days for Life, is scheduled for Jan. 16-24. Each day’s intention is accompanied by a short reflection and suggested actions to help build a culture of life. Receive daily prayers via email or text message. For more information or to register, go to […]
Local
For the first time in four years, the diocesan Life Is VERY Good evening of prayer, morning rally and Mass will take place Jan. 18-19 in conjunction with the national March for Life in Washington Jan. 19. Thousands of people from across the country and throughout the diocese are expected to participate in both events, […]
Local
Two parishes celebrated the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe Dec. 12 with pre-dawn petitions to the Virgin Mary known as mañanitas. Mañanitas is a traditional Hispanic birthday song sung early in the morning to the birthday person. It is often accompanied by mariachis. Our Lady of Angels Church in Woodbridge started the day […]
Columnists
By Mary Beth Bonacci
You know how they say the first Christmas after the death of a loved one is the hardest? Well, apparently we reach an age where that covers a lot of Christmases. Christmas 2021 was the first without my mother. The next year, 2022, was supposed to be the nice refreshing “got through that” holiday. But […]
Holy Family