Vatican Vatican mandates COVID-19 vaccines or recovery for employees and most visitors The Vatican has updated its rules to stem the spread of COVID-19 and will require all its employees to be vaccinated against the virus or prove they have recently recovered from the disease.
Chicagoland Archdiocese sets policy for implementing ‘Traditionis Custodes’ Cardinal Cupich has issued the following policy, which takes effect Jan. 25.
U.S. Poitier’s roles put civil rights issues on the big screen For someone who was raised Catholic, Sidney Poitier left a mark on the Catholic world.
Photo Gallery Filipino Catholics gather again for Simbáng Gabi Parishes in the southwestern suburbs celebrate the last evening of Simbáng Gabi on Dec. 23, 2021 at St. Julie Billiart Parish in Tinley Park. Filipinos are celebrating the 500th anniversary of Catholicism in the Philippines. They were unable to celebrate last year because of the pandemic. Simbáng Gabi is a nine-day novena to the Blessed Mother traditionally celebrated in a series of dawn Masses by Filipino Catholics around the world. The Masses include liturgies, music, the treasured Filipino Christmas star-shaped symbol of the parol lantern that represents the star of Bethlehem and native delicacies. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Photo Gallery New grotto dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe Bishop Joseph Perry joined Father Pius Eusebius Kokose, pastor, and parishioners at Immaculate Conception and St. Michael Parish, 2944 E. 88th St., in dedicating a new grotto to honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe on her feast day Dec. 12, 2021. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
International Wearing a mask at Mass is a small sacrifice pleasing to God, priest says Wearing a high-filtering mask over one’s nose and mouth at Mass “is a small sacrifice we can bring to the altar as an offering pleasing to God for the good of all his children,” said Father Roberto Colombo, a geneticist and member of the Pontifical Academy for Life.
Photo Gallery Little Sisters of the Poor give Chicago welcome to mother general Mother General Maria del Monte Auxiliadora of the Little Sisters of the Poor traveled from France for her first visit to the United States to visit her community's St. Joseph's Home for the Elderly in Palatine on Nov. 30, 2021. The sisters and residents greeted Mother Maria with a welcome party and playful program that included an introduction to cultural life in Chicago, a Day in the Life at the Home, and the love for Chicago sports teams. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Vatican Pope Francis continues reform of religious life One area of church life that Pope Francis has quietly sought to reform is religious life, namely the communities of nuns, religious sisters, monks and friars, and in particular the newer ones. Francis, a member of the Society of Jesus, one of the best-known religious congregations in the world, has sought to tackle problems in recently established orders. He has also publicly acknowledged the sexual, psychological and spiritual abuse of nuns both from priests and within their congregations.
U.S. Supreme Court denies religious exemption on vaccine for N.Y. health workers The Supreme Court turned down emergency requests Dec. 13 from New York health care workers seeking a religious exemption from the state’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate for its health care employees. The court denied the requests from the two groups in a brief written order without explanation. Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch said they would have allowed the religious exemption.
Chicagoland The Catholic Church and the global HIV/AIDS crisis The Catholic Health Association of the United States marked World AIDS Day Dec. 1 with a virtual discussion with Michael O’Loughlin, Chicago-based author of “Hidden Mercy: AIDS, Catholics, and the Untold Stories of Compassion in the Face of Fear” (Broadleaf Books, see book recommendations page 15), which was released Nov. 30.
Chicagoland Latest Renew My Church grouping announcement The Archdiocese of Chicago announced on Dec. 13 an update on the Frassati-Lake Zurich Renew My Church grouping, which includes: St. Francis de Sales parish and school, Lake Zurich; Santa Maria del Popolo Parish, Mundelein; St. Mary of the Annunciation Parish, Mundelein; Transfiguration Parish, Wauconda; and Frassati Catholic Academy, Wauconda.