Daily Archives: February 11, 2021

Did ‘the Roman Catholic Church’ Unjustly Collect Federal Aid? AP Story Misrepresents Church Finances, Expert Says

A Feb. 4 investigative story from the Associated Press inaccurately portrays “the Roman Catholic Church” as a “giant corporate monolith” that raked in federal aid while sitting on billions of dollars that they could have used to pay employees, a canon and civil law expert told CNA.

In reality, “the Roman Catholic Church” in the U.S. is made up of tens of thousands of separate nonprofits, most of which did not have legal access to liquid cash necessary to pay their employees when the pandemic took hold last year.

Black Catholic Apostolate Mass Celebrates Witnesses of Light to Break Chains of Darkness

Images of seven Black Catholics placed at the altar during the Diocese’s Black Catholic Apostolate Mass shared a dual message for those in the congregation: remember and celebrate the good and holy works they did in their lives, and stand on their shoulders to continue sharing their light.

Remembering Angela Orsini, Witness Contributor and Archives Volunteer

Angela Orisini, a volunteer in the Archives at the Diocese of Harrisburg since 2012 and a longtime friend of The Catholic Witness staff and author of the “Saint Spotlight” column, died on Feb. 1 at Carolyn’s House of Hospice of Central Pennsylvania.

Book Review: Praying with Jesus and Faustina during Lent by Susan Tassone

What can I say? Susan Tassone has done it again! When it comes to prayer books with purpose, I have found Susan’s various titles to be a great go-to source.…

Saint Spotlight: St. Bernadette Soubirous

St. Bernadette Soubirous
Patroness of body illness, poverty, people ridiculed for their faith, and Lourdes, France
Feast Day – April 16

In Lourdes, France, a small town at the foot of the Pyrenees Mountains, Marie-Bernarde Soubirous was born on January 7, 1844. Her father was a miller and her mother a laundress. He became sick from the dust of the flour mill and had to rely on small jobs. The loss of money forced them to live in a long-closed, unhealthy, damp prison called Le Chacot. This affected the 4’ 7” Bernadette because of her asthma.

Saint Spotlight: St. Therese of Lisiuex

Marie François Thérèse Martin was born January 2, 1873, in Alençon, France. She did not fully comprehend what the Carmel was, but at 15 desired to enter. On September 24, 1890, she received her Carmelite veil in Lisieux as Sister Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face. Although young, she was an accomplished artist, playwright/poetess, composer of prayers and avid letter writer. Knowing that she could not do great things, she adopted her “Little Way” – childlike surrender to God in everything, joyful humility, confidence and trust in His mercy and kindness, perseverance in prayer and love in all things.