News & Commentary

New York City police officers stand at attention for the ambulance transfer of slain NYPD officer Didarul Islam at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York City early July 29, 2025.

‘Never get used to violence,’ says NY cardinal after mass shooting near St. Patrick’s

"We should never get used to violence or lose our respect for the sacredness of human life," said Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York, following a deadly mass shooting in that city that claimed four lives, including that of ...
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Australian bishops to entrust nation to Mary during pandemic

Catholic bishops in Australia will entrust the country to the care of Mary, Help of Christians, on her feast day, May 24. The bishops approved the plan during their early May plenary meeting, conducted using videoconference technology.
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College graduations: No pomp, lots of circumstance this year

Graduation ceremonies, the hallowed traditions of colleges and universities around the country, are as upended -- but also marked with creativity -- as school lectures and seminars have been since mid-March.
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Prayer establishes trusting relationship with God, pope says

Prayer is an inner desire to encounter God, Pope Francis said. Continuing his new series of talks on prayer during his weekly general audience May 13, the pope said that the longing expressed through prayer "is more than a need, ...
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Online classes pose learning curves for special needs students

With schools closed and classes being taught online, families are having a tough enough time adapting to new routines and technologies during the ongoing pandemic. But for families of students with special needs, distance learning can be an even bigger ...
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NFL quarterback to coach at Catholic high school after retirement

Philip Rivers said he fulfilled one childhood dream by playing quarterback in the NFL. He'll soon fulfill another by coaching high school football. The 38-year-old Rivers was named head coach-in-waiting at St. Michael Catholic High School in Fairhope.
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National shrine in Washington celebrates two 100-year milestones

On May 16, the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington -- the largest Catholic church in North America and one of the 10 largest churches in the world -- marks the 100th anniversary of the ...
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