VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Moving four candidates closer to beatification, Pope Francis recognized the heroic virtues of Sister Honora “Nano” Nagle, the Irish founder of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

It was a joyous, prayerful experience installing Bishop Fabre last week as the fourth bishop of Houma-Thibodaux. We dearly will miss him and his ministry in the Archdiocese of New Orleans. A number of people have asked me what the process is for the Holy Father to appoint a new auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of New Orleans.

Marjorie Long of Lake Charles, La., stood on the grass lot near the corner of South Claiborne and Napoleon avenues in New Orleans on Nov. 1, reflecting on what had brought her 205 miles – and a lifetime – to this point.

Even great ideas can die on the vine. A deep desire to put some great ideas into action prompted Archbishop Gregory Aymond to ask local Catholics to spend the month of October revisiting Archbishop Alfred Hughes’ 2006 pastoral letter on racial harmony, “Made in the Image and Likeness of God.” In response, 280 people convened at seven sites across the archdiocese to prayerfully reflect on the original letter, assess the current state of racial unity within the local church and, most importantly, to offer concrete ways in which individuals and parishes might more effectively bridge racial divisions.

Just yards away from the future site of Planned Parenthood’s massive, regional abortion facility on South Claiborne Avenue, hundreds gathered Nov. 1 for a Louisiana Needs Peace prayer service and candlelight vigil and heard Archbishop Gregory Aymond decry the facility’s ultimate purpose.

Academy of Our Lady recently held its National Honor Society (NHS) Tapping at the school. Back row, left to right: Sara LeBlanc, Mary Hickman, Kayla Bell, Kaylee Dufrene, Amber Dang, Amber Bankston, Brittany Robichaux and Kayla School.