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October 20, 2019

God's Word on Sunday: We all stand in need of God’s mercy

God's Word on Sunday: We all stand in need of God’s mercy

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Oct. 27 (Year C) Sirach 35:15-17, 20-22; Psalm 34; 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18; Luke 18:9-14

Life can seem very unfair and unjust at times.

Published in Fr. Scott Lewis
May 13, 2019

Be merciful ministers of Christ, pope tells new priests

Newly ordained priests stand as Pope Francis celebrates an ordination Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican May 12, 2019. The pope ordained 19 new priests.

VATICAN CITY - The priesthood is not a "cultural association or a union," but a ministry of mercy anchored on Christ's mission to bring hope to the downtrodden and comfort to those who suffer, Pope Francis told new priests.

Published in Vatican
April 29, 2019

People can find peace by visiting those who suffer, pope says

Spanish Missionary of Charity Sister Paul supports a patient Oct. 16, 2009, at the House for the Dying in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. People who feel restless or lacking inner peace will discover it when they visit those who are experiencing great difficulty, suffering, illness or persecution, Pope Francis said.

VATICAN CITY - People who feel restless or lacking inner peace will discover it when they visit those who are experiencing great difficulty, suffering, illness or persecution, Pope Francis said.

Published in Vatican
March 18, 2019

Imitate God by being merciful to others, Pope said

Pope Francis celebrates Mass March 8, 2019, in the chapel of his Vatican residence, the Domus Sanctae Marthae.
VATICAN – The season of Lent is a time for Christians to reflect on and practice the mercy of God toward others and not waste away sitting in judgment of others, Pope Francis said.
Published in Reflections
February 28, 2019

God's wrath is just as great as his mercy, Pope says

Pope Francis celebrates morning Mass in the chapel of his residence, the Domus Sanctae Marthae, at the Vatican Feb. 28, 2019. In his homily, the pope said that God's wrath is just as great as his mercy for those who refuse to change their sinful ways.
VATICAN – Christians must not take advantage of God's forgiveness -- selfishly repeating sin after sin -- because God's wrath for those who refuse to change their ways is just as great as his mercy, Pope Francis said in a morning homily.
Published in Reflections
February 13, 2019

In Christian prayer, there is an absence of the word 'I', Pope says

Pope Francis delivers his blessing during his general audience in Paul VI hall at the Vatican Feb. 13.
VATICAN – Prayer is not just a private and intimate dialogue between a person and God, but rather an opportunity for Christians to bring the needs of others before the Lord, Pope Francis said.
Published in Faith
December 17, 2018

Death penalty is inhuman, ignores mercy, Pope Francis says

Pope Francis meets with a delegation from the International Commission Against the Death Penalty in the papal library of the apostolic palace Dec. 17.
VATICAN – The death penalty is an inhumane form of punishment that ignores the primacy of mercy in the name of justice, Pope Francis said.
Published in International
September 7, 2018

Angela Saldanha: The joy of being aware of God’s presence

Angela Saldanha: The joy of being aware of God’s presence

I left home in my teens; travelled afar, far from family and friends. Life in the new country was different,exciting, challenging. And horribly lonely. 

Published in Guest Columnists
April 11, 2018

Pope reaffirms missionaries' mandate to knock on hearts

Pope Francis speaks April 10 to some 550 "missionaries of mercy" in the Sala Regia of the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican. The pope, who originally commissioned the priests during the Year of Mercy, has extended indefinitely their special mission of preaching God's mercy and showing it, especially through the sacrament of reconciliation.
VATICAN – As a sign that God's mercy cannot be limited, Pope Francis has recommissioned his special army of priests charged with bringing that divine mercy to everyone.
Published in Call to Service
March 29, 2018

Jesus does not give up on anyone, Pope tells prisoners

Pope Francis kisses the foot of an inmate during Holy Thursday Mass March 29 at Regina Coeli prison in Rome. The pope celebrated Mass and washed the feet of 12 inmates at the prison.
ROME – Before washing the feet of 12 prisoners, Pope Francis told them and hundreds of inmates to remember that Jesus constantly stands before them with love, ready to cleanse their sins and forgive them.
Published in Reflections
October 12, 2017

Death penalty is 'contrary to the Gospel,' Pope says

Pope Francis prays with participants at an encounter marking the 25th anniversary of the Catechism of the Catholic Church at the Vatican Oct. 11. The death penalty is "contrary to the Gospel," the pope said in a speech at the meeting.
The death penalty, no matter how it is carried out, "is, in itself, contrary to the Gospel," Pope Francis said.
Published in Vatican
September 15, 2017

Faith: It’s never too late to ask for God’s mercy

Faith: It’s never too late to ask for God’s mercy

25th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sept. 24 (Year A) Isaiah 55:6-9; Psalm 145; Philippians 1:20-24, 27; Matthew 20:1-16

We often search high and low for something precious that we cannot find. Convinced that it has been lost or stolen, we might even replace it. Then, lo and behold, we find it in the most obvious place, sometimes staring us right in the face.

Published in Fr. Scott Lewis
August 25, 2017

Editorial: The face of mercy

Editorial: The face of mercy

Pope Francis seldom misses an opportunity to explain the meaning of mercy. A Toronto cop recently demonstrated what it looks like.

Published in Editorial
July 27, 2017

Ohio bishops: Replace death penalty with mercy, conversion

Following the execution of convicted child murderer Ronald Phillips July 26, Ohio's first execution since 2014, the state's Catholic bishops stressed the need to replace death penalty with mercy and spiritual conversion.
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Catholic leaders in Ohio stressed the need to replace the death penalty with mercy and spiritual conversion, following the execution of convicted child murderer Ronald Phillips.
Published in International
July 12, 2017

Faith: Lessons of Wisdom still relevant today

Faith: Lessons of Wisdom still relevant today

16th Sunday in Ordinary Time, July 23 (Year A) Wisdom 12:13, 16-19; Psalm 86; Romans 8:26-27; Matthew 13:24-43

The righteous must be kind. This short, blunt but profound principle is often overlooked or pushed aside by overly zealous religious people or moral crusaders.

Published in Fr. Scott Lewis
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