VATICAN CITY (CNS) – The Wednesday general audience offers the pope the opportunity to help people understand the fundamental teachings and beliefs of the Catholic faith. Usually given in a clear and simple style, each catechesis is often part of a longer series of talks dedicated to a major theme, which together form a deep, detailed overview of basic tenets or can offer a more analytical commentary and examination of Catholic teaching.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – The Vatican press office said that the results of a morphological analysis of bones and bone fragments found at an ossuary in a Vatican cemetery concluded that none belonged to Emanuela Orlandi, a young Italian woman who has been missing for more than 30 years.

BANGKOK (CNS) – The Sri Lankan government blamed little-known Islamic group National Thowheeth Jama’ath for the Easter suicide bombings that targeted three churches and three luxury hotels across the country.

CNS photo/Benoit Tessier, Reuters Flames and smoke billow from the Notre Dame Cathedral after a fire broke out in Paris April 15, 2019. Officials said the cause was not clear, but that the fire could be linked to renovation work. (CNS photo/Benoit Tessier, Reuters) See PARIS-NOTRE-DAME-FIRE April 15, 2019.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – The life of a young person and the vocation to which God calls each one is “holy ground” that pastors and parents must respect, nurture and encourage, Pope Francis wrote in a new apostolic exhortation.

What constitutes being a Catholic school or university? How do educators imbue Catholic values throughout the curriculum? Do college departments – such as philosophy, Catholic studies, business, sociology – interact using a common vision?

James “J.T.” Hannan has been named the director of advancement for the Archdiocese of New Orleans’ Office of Catholic Schools, a new position created in partnership with the Catholic Community Foundation that will focus on making Catholic schools more accessible to families who want a Catholic education for their children.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) –  Pope Francis will issue a document on “young people, faith and vocational discernment” five months after the world Synod of Bishops gathered in October to discuss the topic.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – The time has come for an “all-out battle” against the abuse of minors, erasing this abominable crime from the face of the earth, Pope Francis said, closing a global four-day summit on child protection in the Catholic Church.

There is an indelible, 320-year connection between Mardi Gras and the local Catholic church. The first Mass on Louisiana soil was celebrated on Shrove Tuesday, March 3, 1699, for explorers Iberville and Bienville and their crew by Father Anastase on the banks of the Mississippi River at a spot called “La Pointe di Mardi Gras.” Read on to see how Mardi Gras, Ash Wednesday and the 40 days of Lent are interrelated.

Sessions are being held Feb. 21-24, 2019, on the protection of minors in the Church at the Vatican.

The pornography industry in the United States, according to Fight the New Drug nonprofit organization, is a $12 billion business. If that figure isn’t startling enough, let this sink in – the average age of a child’s first exposure to pornography is 10 years old. Access is so easy now on the internet that it usually happens while doing homework online. 

For a number of reasons – being risk-averse, lacking knowledge or fearing a negative reaction – Catholics generally are not good at sharing their faith, said Dominican Father David Caron, vicar of evangelization for the Archdiocese of New Orleans. 

“Are you a fan or a follower of Jesus, activated in the faith?” asked Catholic speaker and author Jeff Cavins Feb. 11 of attendees at St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Metairie.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – All eyes and ears expected to be on the Vatican during an unprecedented gathering Feb. 21-24 to discuss the protection of minors in the Catholic Church.

Since 1976, February has been declared Black History Month in the U.S. The Clarion Herald is honoring that tradition by highlighting a few unsung heroes in the African-American community who have made a difference in ministries not only in their Catholic church parishes in the Archdiocese of New Orleans but also in our community.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) –Pope Francis has confirmed the removal from the priesthood of Theodore E. McCarrick, the 88-year-old former cardinal and archbishop of Washington.

Sister of Mount Carmel Jane Remson, director of the Carmelite NGO that has standing with the United Nations, and Carmelite Father Eduardo Scarel discuss the reality of global climate change Feb. 12 and what Catholics can do about it.  (Caption)

WASHINGTON (CNS) – The U.S. Supreme Court blocked a Louisiana law requiring abortion providers to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals Feb. 7.

Changes in health care in the U.S. have placed an even higher priority on physician assistants, health care professionals who are licensed and trained to diagnose and treat illness and to prescribe medication for patients while working with a physician.