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NASHVILLE, Tenn. — In the Diocese of Nashville, Bishop J. Mark Spalding has asked Catholics to focus on the Holy Family this Advent.

WASHINGTON — In the third week of November, three executions by lethal injection took place in the U.S. in just two days and a fourth execution was called off after failed attempts happened close to the expiration of the prisoner’s death warrant.

WASHINGTON — With the pro-life landscape shifting to the states after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June, events in the Washington Archdiocese connected to the annual March for Life in the nation’s capital will have a different focus this January.

When visiting the Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine, scheduled to be dedicated on Feb. 17, 2023, the museum and gift shop will be the first steps on a pilgrim’s journey. Visitors will have the opportunity to glimpse into his life and to purchase unique items that honor his martyrdom. 

For many expecting mothers, pregnancy is a great joy and blessing. For others, being pregnant is a surprise that leads to fear and uncertainty, especially if it’s unplanned. An unplanned pregnancy can create pressure, confusion, anxiety and a sense of urgency. Through its adoption and pregnancy services, Catholic Charities works to help these women feel comfortable, confident and at peace. 

Like any good mother, Holy Mother Church wants her children, the faithful, to prepare for the arrival of the most special guest: Jesus Christ. It is the purpose of the season of Advent.  

Many parishes hold Thanksgiving celebrations. This time of year is commonly devoted to giving thanks to God and engaging in fellowship with others over a delicious meal. For parishioners at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Norman, they have celebrated the fall holiday for generations. For the past 100 years, starting in 1922, they have watched it grow into an event for all ages that requires many volunteers and careful planning.

Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School celebrated the publication of its annual magazine, “Toward the Top,” with a reception on Nov. 10 at the Waterford hotel in Oklahoma City. The reception honored this year’s featured alumni, Judy Love, class of 1955, Greg Love, class of 1980 and David Love, class of 2013. 

The town of Sterling had its first Mass offered in the home of Martin Ille in August 1902, with Father Urban de Hasque as celebrant from his parish in Chickasha, from which he traversed by horse and buggy. Father Urban continued to serve the community until the arrival of the famous early Oklahoma missionary, Willem Huffer, who came to establish a parish. He dedicated the first Our Lady of Perpetual Help, a wooden frame structure, in 1904.

The Servant of God Nicholas Black Elk (1863-1950) was an Oglala Lakota who lived in South Dakota. Nicholas Black Elk is also the subject of the famous book by John Neihardt entitled, “Black Elk Speaks,” (1932) which according to Jon Sweeney contains several errors in it and romanticized the life of American Indians.

BALTIMORE — The U.S. bishops gave their consent for the advancement of the sainthood causes of three U.S. Catholics at the local diocesan level.

WASHINGTON — The fall general assembly of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops will find the bishops voting on a new president and vice president and how to proceed in disseminating their quadrennial document on Catholic participation in public life.

WASHINGTON — Praising clergy sexual abuse survivors for their courage in bringing their painful experiences to light, a panel of current or former diocesan victim assistance coordinators urged the Catholic community to enter into “radical accompaniment” with abuse victims to promote long-lasting healing.

WASHINGTON — Catholic church leaders are taking a new approach to passing on the faith, saying they recognize a pressing need to do this in a way that adapts to the modern world.

AWALI, Bahrain — Everyone needs help to mature and to grow as a person of faith, Pope Francis told young people in Bahrain, so reach out to someone a bit older and wiser and don’t forget to pray.

Recently, a new business has been gracing the art community of Oklahoma City, offering a variety of items including stationary, magnets and prints – all with a decidedly Catholic influence, all sold online from a home in northwest Oklahoma City.

Christ the King Catholic Church in Oklahoma City hosted the first Together in Holiness confer-ence on Oct. 29. Together in Holiness is a marriage enrichment initiative that inspires couples to grow together in holiness and empowers and equips parents to form their children in the Catholic faith. The conference began with Mass celebrated by Archbishop Coakley.

This year’s theme for the Catholic Charities Annual Appeal, “Christ has no body but yours, no hands no feet on earth but yours,” pertains to the seven Corporal Works of Mercy. Corporal meaning from the body, and mercy commonly meaning a gift or kindness. Something done from the body that is a gift of kindness. That is exactly the story of Promise Ekpe and his brother.