Only true love for God and neighbor can destroy the chains of greed, lust, anger and envy that enslave humankind, Pope Francis said. “True love is true freedom: It detaches from possession, rebuilds relationships, it knows how to welcome and value the neighbor, it transforms every struggle into a joyous gift and makes communion possible,” the pope said Sept. 12 during his weekly general audience.

BATON ROUGE, La. – From the outside, the LSU fraternity house where 18-year-old freshman Max Gruver died last year as a victim of what prosecutors called alcohol-fueled hazing looks remarkably similar to the 10 or so other Greek homes on fraternity row, if not a little spiffier.

Queridos hermanos: el evangelio de este domingo nos muestra un segundo paso de Jesús en su camino hacia Jerusalén, acompañado por sus discípulos. El maestro sabe lo que le espera; lo intuye, al menos, con la lucidez de un profeta: le espera la pasión y la muerte, pero también la seguridad de que estará en las manos de Dios para siempre, porque su Dios es un Dios de vida. 

If any coach in college football understands the value of talent procurement, it is LSU’s Ed Orgeron. On a Saturday in Auburn, Alabama, Orgeron’s career record climbed above .500 (34-33) with a 22-21 win over the nation’s then seventh-ranked team.

St. Philip Neri School in Metairie recently elected Ladies’ Coop Club officers. They are, front row: Melissa Kessler, vice president; Kristen Braud and Kristin Tschirn, co-presidents; Roxanne Huesman, secretary; and Amy Dubuc, past president. Back row: Abby Reller, nursery board member; Theresa Hebert, general board member; Erin Smith, historian; Allison Primeaux, general board member; Tricia Lara, treasurer; Danielle Rohli, parliamentarian; Jennifer O’Neal, CCSCC representative; and Cristina Desalvo, publicity.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Inviting presidents of the world’s bishops’ conferences to the Vatican to discuss abuse prevention reflects an understanding that “lovely” words and promises are not enough – concrete, concerted action by the whole church is needed, said Archbishop Charles Scicluna of Malta.

Por Arzobispo Gregory M. Aymond, Clarion Herald La Iglesia Católica celebró recientemente el Domingo Catequético, en las diócesis de los Estados Unidos. ¿Qué significa eso para usted?

Orientation Week at Notre Dame Seminary, above, began in August when Father James Wehner, rector/president, welcomed 46 new seminarians, the largest incoming class in 20 years. The enrollment of 144 men represents the commitment of bishops and vocation directors to provide seminarians a quality formation experience. This is the 95th year of Notre Dame preparing future priests of the church.

Abigail Markey’s resolve to become a cardiothoracic surgeon has been bolstered throughout her 17 years of life. When Markey displayed an early knack for building model airplanes from the tiniest of components, her grandfather commended her steady and exacting “surgeon’s hands.”

Lord, to whom shall we go?” Peter responds with honest affirmation, firmly resolving to remain with Jesus because of his belief. The crowds dispersed, finding it hard to believe that Jesus was the means to eternal life. But the 12 remained: “To whom shall we go?” (John 6:68).

Eight years ago while attending a spiritual directors’ conference, Yvonne Hymel and I both felt strongly that we were being called to some kind of new but unknown ministry. And so we proceeded to enter into a time of prayer and discernment.

Clarion Herald, High School Information supplement: The information in the attached chart (PDF) was provided by the individual schools. The money figures include tuition, registration and all required fees for the 2018-19 school year. 

In 2010, former Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand proposed to meld the city’s love of music with a positive diversion for youth outside of school. Now, eight years later, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office Band of Excellence can boast having graduated approximately 800 male and female youth, with 95 percent attending college. 

The second weekend of prep football was action-filled as local Catholic schools clashed with non-district opponents. At left, St. Paul’s Cade Manint tugs at the facemask of Jesuit running back Brayton Whittington (24) during their game at Tad Gormley Stadium on Sept. 7. The two teams battled to the end, with Jesuit  pulling out a 34-24 victory to gain its first victory.

Several weeks ago, when I first heard of the contents of the recent Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report on sexual abuse in the Catholic Church, I needed to find a quiet place. It was hard to stomach what I had just heard.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The leaders of the U.S. bishops’ conference said they shared with Pope Francis how the church in the United States has been “lacerated by the evil of sexual abuse.” “He listened very deeply from the heart,” said a statement released after the meeting Sept. 13.

Danny Abramowicz is 73 now, and if that doesn’t make you feel old, well, have some avocado toast with alfalfa sprouts and a medium dark roast coffee with soy and a double shot of espresso and join the rest of Generation Z that has no texting clue that old No. 46 in black and gold was perhaps the most beloved player in New Orleans Saints history.

Priests of the Archdiocese of New Orleans will gather next week for a three-day convocation on bioethics issues, with addresses from experts from the National Catholic Bioethics Center. During the Sept. 18-20 convocation, Communion services may be celebrated in parishes instead of Masses.

Thirteen teams, including Division IV state champion Pope John Paul II, will converge on Dominican High School Sept. 14-15 to meet in the Catholic League Volleyball Tournament. Co-hosted by Ursuline Academy, the tournament will be played exclusively at Dominican this year, according to the event’s organizer, Jay Jay Juan, athletic director and head volleyball coach at Ursuline.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis is calling the presidents of every Catholic bishops’ conference in the world to Rome Feb. 21-24 to discuss the prevention of the abuse of minors and vulnerable adults.