Vatican’s Ebola Response
The Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace released a plan, Expanding the Catholic Church’s Commitment to the Ebola Emergency Response, which provides details of how the Church has responded to the Ebola crisis to date on the local level and what more needs to be done. (CNS, 01.07.2015) The plan notes that “the Church has been providing […]
World Day of Peace Message 2015 to Focus on Slavery
On January 1st, the Vatican released Pope Francis’ message for the 48th World Day of Peace entitled, “Slaves no more, but brothers and sisters.” The message calls for an end to human trafficking and slavery— a strong priority and concern of Pope Francis. Read about Catholic sisters who were instrumental in the Pope’s choice of this theme.
A Different Africa in Wake of Ebola Epidemic
On the ground in Liberia, Msgr. Robert Vitillo of Caritas International reflects on the “No Touch” policy in place to address the current Ebola epidemic in Ebola-affected countries in Africa. “From the moment that our plane touched down, we were confronted with buckets of bleach water…and with people armed with ‘gun thermometers’ to take our temperatures before we […]
Pentecostal Reflection
During this season of Pentecost, Pope Francis has invited us to reflect on the ways we allow the Holy Spirit to come and transform our own lives. While celebrating mass in Saint Peter’s Basilica, Pope Francis called on Catholics to reflect about “the living memory of the Church” which “solicits a response from us…The more […]
Youth Celebrate Impact of Women Religious
Over 75 young people in the Archdiocese of St. Louis, MO, shared how women religious have played a meaningful role in their lives and communities in a recent essay contest held by the Incarnate Word Foundation, a FADICA member. ;In a proclamation presented at the awards ceremony, St. Louis City Mayor Francis Slay designated March 31st as Catholic […]
Hilton Foundation Awards Grant to Women Religious
The National Religious Retirement Office (NRRO) recently received a $2.5 million grant from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. NRRO initiatives will help religious communities in the United States address retirement-funding shortfalls, improve future services, and identify best practices. “Words cannot express our gratitude to The Hilton Foundation”, said NRRO Executive Director Sister Janice Bader. The […]
Women Religious Ask Pope for World Day of Prayer Against Trafficking
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — After Pope Francis entrusted two Vatican academies to study the problem of human trafficking, a group of women religious asked the pope to raise greater awareness in the church about the issue by establishing a worldwide day of prayer and fasting. “The pope was very interested in our suggestion and asked […]
Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking Meet in Washington
A new initiative launched with assistance from two FADICA members, Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking, is comprised of women religious from across the country who are leading ministries for trafficking victims, and anti-trafficking efforts. The group held its second meeting in September in Washington DC where they coordinated plans to educate people in parishes about human […]
New Initiatives Promote Civic and Church Leadership Among Hispanic Students
The University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) and the Mexican American Catholic College (MACC) are developing new initiatives in Texas to promote civic and church leadership among southwestern college students. Both San Antonio institutions serve predominantly Hispanic student populations. Nationally, Hispanics are part of a vital church trend, representing 35% of U.S. Catholics overall […]
Conference of Church Experts Shows That Lay Leadership Development Is Key to Welcome and Outreach of Hispanic Catholics
Washington, DC – A newly published, 36-page conference proceedings tells Catholic foundations and donors that lay leadership development in the home missions among Hispanic Catholics, is an essential first step in a pastoral strategy to prevent attrition to other faiths. “Studies show one in four third-generation Hispanics are leaving for other churches–if not more!” says […]