World News

Remembering Holocaust is ‘a duty,’ pope says

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis said remembering the millions of men, women and children who perished in the Holocaust is a call for the world today to reflect and commit to not repeating the atrocities of the past. Speaking to pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square Jan. 26, the pope said that “in the face of this immense tragedy, this atrocity, indifference is inadmissible, and remembering is a duty. We are all called to have a moment of prayer and reflection, each one saying in his or her own heart, ‘Never again, never again!’” the pope said. International Holocaust Remembrance Day is observed around the world Jan. 27, which marks the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp in Oswiecim, Poland.

For religious, God’s love is worth more than any earthly good, pope says VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- When one is totally in love with the Lord, then poverty, chastity and obedience are not sacrifices, but vehicles of freedom, Pope Francis told consecrated men and women. Celebrating the World Day for Consecrated Life, Pope Francis urged women and men religious to be people of hope, and he asked all Catholics to pray for the hundreds of thousands of women and men who continue to consecrate their lives totally to serving God and their brothers and sisters. Led by candle-bearing men and women from a variety of religious orders, Pope Francis processed into a darkened St. Peter’s Basilica Feb. 1 for a vigil celebration of Candlemas -- the feast of the Presentation of the Lord -- and the Vatican celebration of the World Day for Consecrated Life. And, on the feast day itself, Feb. 2, he spoke about how every member of the church has a role to play in sharing the good news of salvation in Christ. After reciting the Angelus prayer on the feast day, he asked people in St. Peter’s Square to join him in praying a Hail Mary for “the consecrated men and women who do so much work, so often hidden.”

Church must recognize the gifts of older Catholics, pope says VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Old age “is not a disease, it’s a privilege,” and Catholic dioceses and parishes miss a huge and growing resource if they ignore their senior members, Pope Francis said. “We must change our pastoral routines to respond to the presence of so many older people in our families and communities,” the pope told Catholic seniors and pastoral workers from around the world. Pope Francis addressed the group Jan. 31 near the end of a threeday conference on the pastoral care of the elderly sponsored by the Vatican Dicastery for Laity, the Family and Life. The Catholic Church at every level, he said, must respond to the longer life expectancies and changing demographics evident around the world. While some people see retirement as marking the time when productivity and strength decline, the 83-year-old pope said, for others it is a time when they are still physically fit and mentally sharp but have much more freedom than they had when they were working and raising a family.

Catholic leaders disappointed by ruling limiting immigrant aid WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Catholic Charities USA and the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, known as CLINIC, expressed disappointment with the Supreme Court’s Jan. 27 order allowing the Trump administration to go forward with a new rule meant to limit immigrants’ use of government benefit programs. The court’s “unprecedented ruling” in favor of the administration’s revisions to government policy “harms families, targets lawful immigrants, and could prevent families from receiving vital nutrition and housing assistance,” said a Catholic Charities USA statement. Dominican Sister Donna Markam, president and CEO of Catholic Charities USA, urged the Trump administration “to reconsider this harsh and unnecessary policy and rescind it in its entirety.” She said the decision in favor of this policy “signals a watershed change of course from the best moments of our American heritage of welcoming immigrants and refugees.” In its 5-4 ruling, the court gave the Trump administration the go-ahead with its “public charge” rule allowing the administration to deny green cards to legal immigrants based on their reliance on public assistance such as food stamps, Medicaid and housing vouchers. The rule was challenged by immigration groups and states including California, Illinois, Maryland and Washington. Legal challenges continue in several federal courts, and a separate injunction still blocks the rule from being implemented in Illinois.

Best-selling author formed enduring bond with worldwide readership TORONTO (CNS) -- Mary Higgins Clark, known as the “queen of suspense” to her millions of readers throughout the world, died of natural causes in Naples, Florida, Jan. 31. She was 92. The author of more than 50 novels, the popular New York-born author is also remembered for her strong Catholic upbringing and the way she portrayed courageous Catholic heroines in the bulk of her fiction. Higgins Clark’s latest book, “Kiss the Girls and Make Them Die,” was released by Simon & Schuster Nov. 5, 2019. Higgins Clark was raised at St. Francis Xavier School and Parish in the Bronx, a borough of New York City, and attended high school at Villa Maria Academy, where one-time principal Mother St. Margaret of the Angels encouraged her first efforts at storytelling. Coinciding with the release of the “Kiss the Girls and Make Them Die” book, Catholic News Service in November profiled Higgins Clark as one of most widely read authors in its Catholic writer series. In that profile, Higgins Clark outlined her use of strong Catholic protagonists who persevere against danger and intrigue to carry on in life’s daily struggles. She explained her rationale for characterbuilding in her November profile. “As far as my use of Catholic protagonists and heroines, I attribute that to the best piece of advice I ever received as a young writer in

a workshop. The professor said, ‘Write what you know,’” Higgins Clark said at the time. “I’d grown up observing examples of Catholic women who were strong figures and persevered against difficult odds. It was natural to model my characters after the people I knew.”

World needs stories of truth, peace, inspiration, pope says VATICAN CITY -- With fake news becoming ever more sophisticated, people need the wisdom, courage and patience to discern and embrace constructive stories, Pope Francis said. “We need stories that reveal who we truly are, also in the untold heroism of everyday life,” Pope Francis wrote in his message for World Communications Day 2020. World Communications Day will be celebrated May 24 at the Vatican and in most dioceses. The papal message was released at the Vatican Jan. 24, the feast of St. Francis de Sales, patron saint of journalists. The message for 2020 was based on the theme, “’That you may tell your children and grandchildren’: Life becomes history.” The passage, drawn from the Book of Exodus, highlights the importance of sharing “knowledge of the Lord” and meaningful memories, stories and experiences, so that they may transform people’s lives, he wrote. Jesus, who is “the quintessential storyteller -- the Word,” he said in the message, spoke of God “not with abstract concepts, but with parables, brief stories taken from everyday life” so that “the story becomes part of the life of those who listen to it, and it changes them.” Bereavement by suicide is devastating and often isolating. Join us for Together with God, an eight-week series of hope, prayer and community. Facilitated by fellow suicide loss survivors. Group materials, outside resources and snacks included. Ongoing support is being planned. Begins Thursday, February 13, 6:30–8:30pm at the Catholic Center. Registration required, call Kay 505.353.2466.

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