ARCHDIOCESE OF WASHINGTON

Your Catholic Online News Magazine

Saturday, July 31, 2021

Pope Francis encounters the poor at Catholic Charities

Like Abraham Lincoln during the Gettysburg Address, Pope Francis gave brief and simple message when he came to pray over the lunch of 300 Catholic Charities clients in downtown Washington on Sept. 24.
Pope Francis, ‘pastor from South,’ encourages U.S. bishops to be pastors

Addressing more than 300 of the nation’s Catholic bishops as a “pastor from the South,” and a calling himself a “brother among brothers,” Pope Francis encouraged the bishops in all areas of their ministry and reminded them to always joyfully proclaim the Risen Christ to their flocks.
Tens of thousands line Washington streets to greet Pope Francis

After visiting the White House and receiving an official welcome by President Barack Obama, Pope Francis took to the streets of Washington Sept. 23, to receive the welcome of tens of thousands of Catholics and others.

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News

White House welcome

Welcoming Pope Francis to the White House on Sept. 23, President Barack Obama praised the pontiff for his “message of love and hope (that) has inspired so many people across our nation and around the world.”
Pope Francis canonizes Junípero Serra, says faith is alive only when shared

Canonizing the 18th-century Spanish missionary, Blessed Junípero Serra, Pope Francis insisted a person’s faith is alive only when it is shared.
In Washington Post discussion, Cardinal Wuerl examines impact of ‘Francis effect’

Interviewed at the Washington Post one day before Pope Francis arrived in the nation’s capital, Cardinal Donald Wuerl said the media’s overall portrayal of the pope seems accurate, and his public and private persona are one and the same.

Parish News

Walking the Walk with Francis

During Masses on the weekend of Sept. 5-6, members of parishes across the Archdiocese of Washington took the Walk with Francis Pledge to honor Pope Francis’s upcoming visit to the nation’s capital. Students at Catholic schools have also begun taking the pledge. Here are some examples of the many thousands of people who have taken the Walk with Francis Pledge.
Dual milestones

Our Lady’s Church in Medley’s Neck marked a double milestone Aug. 16 with a Mass observing the 250^th anniversary of the parish and officially installing Father John Nguyen as its pastor.
St. John Vianney Parish marks 50 years of prayer, service and family fun

Welcoming people to the 50^th anniversary Mass of St. John Vianney Parish in Prince Frederick on Aug. 2, Father Peter Daly noted, “This is a great occasion. Fifty years of prayer, faith and grace in this place.”

Pope Francis

When Pope Francis visited us at Saint John Paul II Seminary

‘Rejoice in the Lord always! I say it again, rejoice!” Pope Francis began his homily with these words, quoting Saint Paul in the second reading for the Canonization Mass of St. Junipero Serra.

Cardinal Wuerl

“Blessed are You, Lord God of All Creation”

“Praise be to you, my Lord.” With these prayerful words, Pope Francis begins his recent encyclical, Laudato Si’, which he concludes also with prayer. Now our Holy Father has instituted a World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation to be celebrated annually on Sept.1 in conjunction with the custom of the Orthodox Church.

Schools

True blue school: Cardinal Hickey Academy named a National Blue Ribbon School

After a Mass on Sept. 29 celebrated by Washington Auxiliary Bishop Martin Holley, the academy’s principal Jennifer Griffith announced their achievement to the 195 students, as one female student unfurled a 2015 Blue Ribbon banner.

Families

Five ways to be a great explorer

Moving out of our comfort zones is never easy, but imagine the amazing things we could discover if we let ourselves be explorers. In the spirit of Christopher Columbus, I offer you five ways to be a great explorer.