Pope establishes Worldwide Prayer Network as papal institution (Vatican News) The Vatican announced on Thursday that Pope Francis has established the Worldwide Prayer Network Foundation as an entity with canonical and Vatican juridical identity. Formerly known as the “Apostleship of Prayer,” the Worldwide Prayer Network works “to coordinate and animate the vast spiritual movement, always very dear to the Pope, that receives and communicates the Pope’s monthly prayer intentions for the Church.” On its international website, the Network describes its objective: “to encourage prayer and action for the challenges facing humanity and the mission of the Church, expressed in the Pope’s prayer intentions…”
Pope marks anniversary of women being murdered in El Salvador (CNS) Remembering the three U.S. religious women and a laywoman brutally murdered during El Salvador’s civil war, Pope Francis hailed them as examples of faith and missionary discipleship. Before concluding his weekly general audience Dec. 2, the pope commemorated the 40th anniversary of the death of the four American missionaries: Maryknoll Sisters Maura Clarke and Ita Ford, Ursuline Sister Dorothy Kazel and lay missionary Jean Donovan. “With evangelical commitment and taking great risks, they brought food and medicine to displaced people and helped the poorest families,” he said. “These women lived their faith with great generosity. They are an example for all to become faithful missionary disciples…”
San Gabriel Mission, burned in fire, gets temporary roof (AP) A 249-year-old Southern California church that was badly damaged in a fire has a temporary roof to protect the historical building as it awaits a year-long restoration. Wood and a waterproof membrane are covering the San Gabriel Mission east of Los Angeles…
Leading communications priest in Philadelphia dies (CatholicPhilly.com) Father John Fields, an archpriest of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia, who was communication director for the archeparchy, died at his home Nov. 28. He was 70. The cause of death has yet to be determined, according to an announcement from the archeparchy. His body will be brought to St. Michael Church in Frackville, Pennsylvania, the morning of Dec. 3. A prayer service known as “Panakhyda” will be celebrated. Father Fields body will lie in repose at the church until 7 p.m. when the “Priestly Parastas” takes place. These are prayers offered for the repose of the departed and the forgiveness of sin…
Italian bishops: ‘Midnight Mass’ must end before curfew (CNS) As rumblings and grumblings grew in the press and on social media, the permanent council of the Italian bishops’ conference met to discuss the problem of Christmas “midnight Mass” when the government has imposed a 10 p.m. curfew as part of its measures to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Since late November, bishops, theologians and others have pointed out that what commonly is called “midnight Mass” is liturgically called “Mass during the night” and that anticipating its celebration, even by several hours, will not ruin Christmas. But the controversy continued…
Deacon’s legendary holiday display canceled due to pandemic (Pleastonton Weekly) “Casa del Pomba — the name of my home — means ‘house of the dove.’ The dove is the symbol of hope, and our hope is that COVID-19 goes away,” Deacon Dave Rezendes told the Weekly in an interview about his decision to call off his annual holiday light display as a result of the pandemic. For the past 37 years, Rezendes has opened the front yard of his Livermore residence on Hillcrest Avenue to the community to view thousands of vibrant lights and festive decor during the month of December. This year, however, he decided it would not be in the best interests of his volunteers or visitors to host the local tradition…
