St. Frances Cabrini Parish responds with compassion to victims of EF-4 tornado

By Joan Kurkowski-Gilllen, Correspondent
North Texas Catholic
May 16, 2013

(CNS photo/Richard Rodriguez, Reuters)(CNS photo/Richard Rodriguez, Reuters)“Overwhelmed.” That’s how relief volunteer Julie Lyssy described the families who sought shelter inside St. Frances Cabrini’s Family Life Center after an EF-4 tornado ravaged their neighborhoods May 15. The deadly funnel cloud descended on the eastern section of Granbury around 8 p.m. killing six and destroying more than 50 homes and trailers in the Rancho Brazos subdivision. Injuries and damage were also reported in the nearby Pecan Plantation community. Many of the affected — including some of the deceased — are parishioners of St. Frances Cabrini Church located 35 miles southwest of Fort Worth.

Eighth-graders encouraged to listen to voice of Christ at annual diocesan Mass

By Joan Kurkowski-Gillen, Correspondent
North Texas Catholic
May 16, 2013

Christen Volding was one of 432 students who participated in the annual Eighth Grade Diocesan Mass celebrated May 8 at St. Andrew Church in Southwest Fort Worth. The special liturgy is planned each year to mark the achievements and diligence of the diocese’s eighth-graders as they prepare for graduation and high school.

 

Patroness, inspiration, intercessor: Mary is beloved in Latin America

By David Agren
Catholic News Service

May 13, 2013

AUSTIN, Texas (CNS) -- More than 1,500 Catholics and their bishops from across the state gathered in Austin April 9 to advocate on issues such as payday lending, health and human services, school choice tax credit scholarships, justice for immigrants, health care and protecting human life.

 

Missio: Pope Francis to unlock app for Pontifical Mission Societies

Catholic News Service

May 16, 2013

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis was scheduled to help the Pontifical Mission Societies of the United States broaden its reach around the world by unlocking a smartphone app.

During an audience with national directors of pontifical mission societies from around the world, the pope was set to launch the organization's new Missio app from the Vatican May 17, sending news and content in eight languages.

 

Foster care seen as crucial to helping unaccompanied minors flourish

By J.D. Long-Garcia
Catholic News Service
May 8, 2013

GLENDALE, Ariz. (CNS) -- As a child, Johnson Toe spent 12 hours a day farming okra, rice, tomatoes, and peppers on his grandmother's farm in Liberia.

The Glendale Community College sophomore came to Arizona as a refugee eight years ago, when he was 12. He's still figuring things out with the help of Catholic Charities' unaccompanied minors program.

 

 

Historian argues successfully that West grew from chaotic 10th century

Reviewed by Brian Welter
Catholic News Service
May 8, 2013

BOOK REVIEW: In The Birth of the West, historian Paul Collins successfully highlights the tendency toward integration present among the 10th century's violent disintegration.

 

Cardinal urges young adults to deepen their Catholic faith, share it

By Mark Zimmermann
Catholic News Service

May 20, 2013
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Since participating in the March conclave that elected Pope Francis, Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl of Washington has spoken about the experience to reporters and during Masses at local parishes.