The Catholic Church celebrated the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’ election. Cardinal Michael Czerny, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Promoting Integral Human Development, reflected on Pope Francis’ vision for the Church.

This year, on March 19, many dioceses in the United States will observe the traditional Lenten practice of almsgiving by participating in The Catholic Relief Services Collection. Funds from this collection support the work of Catholic organizations that aid victims of war and natural disaster, provide pastoral care to migrant workers, and help welcome refugees fleeing violence and persecution. Bishop Seitz spoke about the role that this collection plays in vital Catholic programs that share in the Catholic mission of promoting the sacredness of human life and the dignity of the human person.

Read the CRS Collection annual report. 

https://usccb.cld.bz/crs-2021-annual-report 

We were joined by Jen Maez from CRS Rice Bowl – the Lenten program of Catholic Relief Services.

March 13, 2023, marks the 10-year anniversary of Pope Francis’s papacy. To mark the occasion, a few cardinals reflected on Pope Francis’ legacy so far.

Bishop Frank Caggiano, Chairman of the Subcommittee on the catechism, joined the show this week to discuss the future of formation and how United States Bishops are responding to the changing catechetical landscape.

Following the tragic events in Southeast Turkey and Northern Syria, we spoke with Msgr. Peter Vaccari, the president of the Catholic Near East Welfare Association (C.N.E.W.A), about relief efforts in Syria and Turkey.

On February 17th, Archbishop Paul Coakley of Oklahoma City dedicated a new shrine to Blessed Stanley Rother. We were joined by Most Rev. Paul Coakley to learn more about Blessed Stanley’s story and the new shrine dedicated to him. Visit https://rothershrine.org/ to learn more.

February 24th marks one year since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Pope Francis spoke about the occasion, which he called a sad anniversary. He encouraged us to stay close to the Ukraine people who continue to suffer. Bishop David Malloy, Chair of the Committee on International Justice and Peace, also released a statement calling on the faithful to continue to pray for peace and to give generously to humanitarian organizations that are provided continued and much needed assistance. The full statement is available at usccb.org.

Bishop David O’Connell, auxiliary Bishop of Los Angeles, was found murdered in his home on Saturday, February 18th. We join Archbishop Gomez and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in grieving his death and praying for the repose of his soul. May he rest in peace.

On Ash Wednesday Churches in the United States will take a special collection for the Church in Central and Eastern Europe. We were joined by Jennifer Healy, Director for Aid to the Church in Central and Eastern Europe, to tell us more about the collection. Learn more about the collection at: https://www.usccb.org/committees/church-central-eastern-europe/collection-church-central-and-eastern-europe

The Lenten season begins on Ash Wednesday, February 22nd. We discussed with Father Andrew Menke, Executive Director of the Secretariat of Divine Worship, how to best utilize this period of prayer, fasting and almsgiving in preparation for Easter. Find more Lenten resources here: https://www.usccb.org/prayer-worship/liturgical-year/lent

Pope Francis called for prayer and peace in Nicaragua after Bishop Rolando Alvarez was imprisoned for criticizing the Ortega-Murillo regime. Last week, the USCCB welcomed expelled Nicaraguan Priest and Seminarians who were able to celebrate mass for the first time in six months. Please continue to pray for the People of Nicaragua.  Read more at: https://www.usccb.org/news/2023/pope-pained-nicaraguan-bishops-26-year-prison-sentence

Pope Francis and thousands of visitors and pilgrims at his general audience prayed for the victims of the earthquakes that devastated the region along the border of Turkey and Syria. Bishop David Malloy, International Justice and Peace Chairman, called for prayer and financial aid for the victims and relief workers.

The Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace and the International Union of Superiors General designated February 8 as an annual day of prayer and awareness against human trafficking. February 8 is the feast day of St. Josephine Bakhita, patron saint of victims of modern slavery and human trafficking.

Pope Francis recently concluded his historic visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan. He prayed with South Sudan’s Christians for peace and spoke about the important role of women in peacebuilding.

The observances of National Marriage Week (Feb. 7-14) and World Marriage Day (Sunday, Feb. 12) are an opportunity to focus on building a culture of life and love that begins with supporting and promoting marriage and the family. This year's theme is "Marriage...one flesh, given and received." Learn more at https://www.usccb.org/topics/marriage...

The annual Catholic Social Ministry Gathering (CSMG), organized by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and 20 collaborating organizations, attracted hundreds of participants from around the country this week. The conference equips current and emerging leaders in Catholic social ministry and advocacy to cultivate God’s justice as they engage in their communities and around the world.

World Day for Consecrated Life is celebrated in the Church on Thursday, February 2, 2023, and in parishes over the weekend of February 4-5, 2023. Please pray for all those who have made commitments in the consecrated life and be sure to thank them on their special day.

Pope Francis heard horrifying stories of cruelty and violence February 1 during a meeting in Kinshasa with victims from eastern Congo, a region the pope had to cancel his plans to visit because of the worsening security situation.

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During Mass for the Sunday of the Word of God, Pope Francis said that the Church should have an expansive heart. Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTGwhXjQzwQ

Bishop Juan Miguel Betancourt invites the Catholic faithful to view a new series of video seminars to learn more about Scripture. Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qz8FAZqeBK8

January 22 also marked the twentieth anniversary of Strangers No Longer: Together on the Journey of Hope, a pastoral letter on migration from the bishops of the United States and Mexico.https://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/immigration/strangers-no-longer-together-on-the-journey-of-hope

Bishop Mark Seitz, chairman of the Committee on Migration, issued a statement to celebrate the anniversary. Read the statement: https://www.usccb.org/news/2023/us-church-marks-twenty-years-release-strangers-no-longer-together-journey-hope

For the National Prayer Vigil for Life, the homily of Bishop Michael Burbidge, chairman of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities, reflected on the work ahead. https://www.usccb.org/resources/1-19-23%20HOMILY_Vigil%20Mass%20for%20Shrine.pdf

Speaking separately with Catholic Current, he encouraged young people not to feel alone in their beliefs.

Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the Archdiocese of the Military Services, USA, and president of the USCCB issued a statement in observance of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. https://www.usccb.org/news/2023/usccb-presidents-statement-observance-rev-martin-luther-king-jr-day-2023

Catholics across the country are observing a nationwide prayer vigil on Thursday, January 19 to Friday, January 20, 2023 and praying a novena to protect human life with “9 Days for Life.” https://www.respectlife.org/9-days-for-life

January 18-25 is the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity has a history of over 100 years , in which Christians around the world have taken part in an octave of prayer for visible Christian unity. Watch the video introduction from Fr. Walter Kedjierski, Executive Director of the Secretariat for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs. https://www.usccb.org/resources/introduction-2023-week-prayer-christian-unity

Representatives of bishops’ conferences from several countries, including the United States, met for the annual Holy Land Coordination, January 14-19, 2023. Bishop David J. Malloy of Rockford, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace represented the U.S. bishops. Read the communique from the delegation. https://www.usccb.org/news/2023/2023-holy-land-coordination-communique

The annual blessing of livestock took place at the Vatican on January 17, 2023.

President Biden recently visited the border where he met with Bishop Mark Seitz, Chair of the Committee on Migration and Bishop of El Paso. Bishop Seitz issued a statement on January 6th expressing his dismay about the administration’s “ continued reliance on harmful policies over humane solutions.”

Read more about the Committee on Migration: https://www.usccb.org/committees/migration

Read more of Bishop Seitz' statement: https://www.usccb.org/news/2023/us-bishops-migration-chairman-dismayed-continued-reliance-harmful-policies-over-humane

January is Poverty Awareness Month. Daily reflections prepared by the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (also en Español) are available that include ways to learn about poverty, get inspired by how communities are responding, and take action with others.

You can also sign up to receive daily reflections by email. Learn more about the state of poverty in the United States by visiting PovertyUSA.org (or en Español at PobrezaUSA.org).

Pope Francis underlined the importance of knowing the date of one's baptism as he celebrated Mass and baptized 13 babies in the Sistine Chapel.

Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIo4tTb89io