6+ hour, 36+ min ago (206+ words) On November 24, Archbishop Alberto Uy issued a pastoral appeal "inviting all of us to celebrate Christmas in 2025 with greater simplicity, deeper compassion, and more intentional solidarity with the poor." His appeal came on the heels of the string of disasters that ravaged communities with deadly quakes and floods, destroyed homes and churches, and harmed people's livelihoods. "Christmas is not about extravagance. It is not about noise, fireworks, or lavish food," the archbishop said." In response to the disasters that affected millions in Cebu province and other areas, he asked the parishes, religious communities, institutions and families to: "Let our homes shine not with lights but with love. Let our parishes be filled not with noise but with prayer. Let our celebrations focus not on abundance but on presence-God's presence and each other's presence," he said. "May our simple celebration this…...

2+ day, 2+ hour ago (82+ words) Love for Neighborby Fr. Richard CipollaThe American bishops Special Message on immigration recently promulgated is certainly to be welcomed as an authentic and moderate Catholic response to and observation of the current state of attitude and response to the often callous and certainly unchristian behavior of those who are empowered to enforce immigration law. This way of enforcing immigration The Bishops have so much love for neighbor that they applaud themselves -- but some of them don't seem to love their own Faithful...

2+ day, 23+ hour ago (267+ words) The Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing. (Psalm 41:3) Remember that this is a promise to the man who considers the poor. Are you one of these? " The Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing. (Psalm 41:3) Remember that this is a promise to the man who considers the poor. Are you one of these? Then take home the text. See how in the hour of sickness the God of the poor will bless the man who cares for the poor! The everlasting arms shall stay up his soul as friendly hands and downy pillows stay up the body of the sick. How tender and sympathizing is this image; how near it brings our God to our infirmities and sicknesses! Whoever heard this of the old heathen Jove, or of the gods of India or China! This…...

4+ day, 2+ hour ago (213+ words) I'm Bub Kuns, and today we're talking about the virtue of generosity. Although America is among the wealthiest nations in the world, it may be becoming one of the STINGIEST. According to the book The Generosity Crisis by Nathan Chappell, Brian Crimmins, and Michael Ashley, American giving to charity is at "an all-time low," and the percentage of those giving could sink to single digits in the near future. In other words, we have much but give little." In contrast, GENEROSITY is about gratitude for what God has given us, then joyfully giving and sharing with others. And when we consider how much God has given to us " family, food, housing, jobs, not to mention salvation through Christ " we should be motivated to give generously to others." As the late Tim Keller said, "A lack of generosity refuses to acknowledge…...

4+ day, 21+ hour ago (613+ words) November 25, 2025 By Dan Steinbeck WILLARD " First Baptist Church, Willard, received grants recently, enabling them to make improvements connected with their local church initiative, called "Project 2025." The church received a $2,000 grant from the William E. Eslick Fund, administered through the Community Foundation of the Ozarks. The Eslick Fund offers periodic project funding to a Southern Baptist Church in Greene County, Mo. The next funding opens in 2027. The church also got a $1,500 grant through Cardinals Care for a new playground. The total cost for the playground was $75,000. "I'm fairly new at the church," Pastor Mark Milioni told The Pathway. "We recognized some things that needed improvements. Projects can unify a church. It's been fun and great." Milioni is also president of Mission University, formerly known as Baptist Bible College in Springfield, which focuses on training pastors and missionaries. It was through his work…...

5+ day, 4+ hour ago (317+ words) Pope Leo XIV offered encouragement to Caritas Internationalis, the Church's confederation of relief and development agencies, during a brief address to the members of its representative council. "From its foundation, Caritas Internationalis has embodied the Church's proclamation that "Christ's preference is for the poor, the least, the abandoned and discarded," said Pope Leo, citing a 2023 message of Pope Francis. "Indeed, this vision can be seen in the Eucharist itself, where the Lord "having loved his own who were in the world, loved them to the end" (Jn. 13:1). "The love we receive from Christ is never a private treasure but always a mission entrusted to our hands," Pope Leo continued. "Love sends us forth; love makes us servants; love opens our eyes to the wounds of others." CWN Editor's Note: Pope Leo XIV offered encouragement to Caritas Internationalis, the Church's confederation…...

1+ week, 1+ day ago (1756+ words) November 21, 2025 Catholic News Agency News Briefs 0 Print Vatican City, Nov 21, 2025 / 13:10 pm (CNA). Pope Leo XIV on Friday met with the leadership and staff of Caritas Internationalis, the Church's global charitable network operating in more than 200 countries, asking them to be "pilgrims of hope" and "artisans of peace" in the world. During the morning meeting held at the Vatican, the Holy Father thanked Caritas Internationalis president Cardinal Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi and approximately 70 Caritas workers for their "steadfast service" within the Church and to people throughout the world. "Caritas Internationalis has long been a luminous sign of the Church's maternal love," he said to the multinational delegation on Nov. 21. "The love we receive from Christ is never a private treasure but always a mission entrusted to our hands," he added. "Love sends us forth; love makes us servants; love opens our eyes…...

1+ week, 3+ day ago (522+ words) Declaring the good news of Jesus is always on the cards no matter the season; but Christmas undeniably affords a particular opportunity to make Jesus in the public square. Manchester Pentecostal Church is stepping up and doing just that. Sherubin Jacob and Shaji Philip explain the vision on behalf of the Manchester Pentecostal Church Evangelism Team: "Bus advertising has, of course, been used for all sorts of things " including other worldviews and messages " and we thought, why not use that same space to point people to the hope of the gospel? "It began with prayer and a longing to reach those who might never step inside a church but who see buses go by every day. "Friend-to-friend evangelism is absolutely vital, but we also believe the good news deserves to be heard in the public square. The gospel isn't just…...

1+ week, 4+ day ago (78+ words) The organization will host its annual "Thanksgiving Celebration" Sunday November 23, 6:30pm at First Congregational Church, 1701 SW Collins in Topeka. TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) - Interfaith of Topeka invites everyone to come together in fellowship and thanksgiving. The organization will host its annual "Thanksgiving Celebration" Sunday November 23, 6:30pm at First Congregational Church, 1701 SW Collins in Topeka. Light refreshments will be served following the service. Educational displays from various faiths will be available. All are welcome....

1+ week, 5+ day ago (286+ words) The collection season for'Operation Christmas Child,'a project of Samaritan's Purse,'begins now as nearly 5,000 drop-off locations open across the country. Individuals, families and groups across California can pack a shoebox gift filled with toys, school supplies and personal care items for children in need and drop them off during National Collection Week, Nov. 1724. The collection season for" Operation Christmas Child," a project of Samaritan's Purse," begins now as nearly 5,000 drop-off locations open across the country Individuals, families and groups across California can pack a shoebox gift filled with toys, school supplies and personal care items for children in need and drop them off during National Collection Week, Nov 1724.Operation Christmas Child has been collecting and delivering shoebox gifts to children worldwide for more than three decades In 2025, Operation Christmas Child hopes to collect" shoeboxes throughout California to help with…...