Catholic Church

By Randall Smith, The Catholic Thing - “Know thyself.”... were the words with which Pope St. John Paul II began his great encyclical Fides et Ratio (“Faith and Reason”)... In that encyclical – an intellectual tour de force that should have inspired a renaissance in Catholic education, but sadly hasn’t – John Paul II spoke of the “fundamental questions” that “have their common source in the quest for meaning which has always compelled the human heart.”

By Shannon Mullen, Courtney Mares, CNA - Los Angeles Auxilary Bishop David O’Connell, a popular priest in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles for many years known for his work ministering to immigrants, the poor, and victims of gun violence in South LA, was shot and killed Saturday, authorities said... Earlier in the day, Archbishop José Gomez released a statement announcing that Bishop O’Connell, an Irish native who had worked in the Los Angeles area for the past 45 years, had died unexpectedly... “I am very sad this afternoon to report that our beloved Auxiliary Bishop David O’Connell has passed away unexpectedly,” Archbishop Gomez said in the statement, Angelus News reported.

By David G Bonagura, Jr., The Catholic Thing - As the years pass, I have learned that the most fervent fidelity to the Lord, at one stage in life, does not guarantee permanent fidelity. Devout couples, once on fire to begin their Catholic marriages, can disintegrate in bitter divorce. Priests, once exuberant to serve the Lord at their ordinations, can lose confidence in their vocations and leave the priesthood. ...

By Amy Smith, EWTN News - Father Mike Schmitz is a Newman Center chaplain at the Univ. of Minnesota-Duluth and podcast host of the popular The Bible in a Year and The Catechism in a Year. He is known for his practical and encouraging advice for Catholics of all ages. As we embark on Lent, the Register asked Father Schmitz’s advice via email on living these days well... In his Feb. 17 responses, Father Schmitz reflected on prioritizing Christ in daily life, picking prudent penances and more.