Pandemic creates unique challenges for deaf Catholics (Chicago Catholic) COVID-19 has forced people all over the world to adapt to new ways of doing things. For those who are deaf, face masks require extra adjustments. “All of the deaf face challenges with COVID, especially trying to understand people with masks,” said Susan Rangel, following Mass Aug. 16 at the St. Francis Borgia Deaf Center, 8025 W. Addison St. “It’s a challenge because in the past, half of the face wasn’t covered. Misunderstandings can happen quite frequently and that can cause frustrations with both parties…”

Pope Francis urges: Make vaccine available to all (CNA) A potential coronavirus vaccine should be made available to all, Pope Francis said at the general audience Wednesday. “It would be sad if, for the vaccine for COVID-19, priority were to be given to the richest! It would be sad if this vaccine were to become the property of this nation or another, rather than universal and for all,” Pope Francis said Aug. 19…

University of Scranton president Father Scott Pilarz stepping down (WNEP) The University of Scranton’s 27th president said he is stepping down at the end of this school year. In a YouTube video Father Scott Pilarz said his progression of symptoms due to his diagnosis of ALS leads him to make this hard decision…

Renovations expose rifts in some Philadelphia parishes (Philadelphia Inquirer) At St. Charles Borromeo in South Philadelphia, parishioners have taken to public protests, alleging that the Rev. Esteban Granyak made renovations to the chapel without consulting its longtime, predominantly Black, parishioners. Among other changes, he converted the basement gym into a separate worship space for Neo-Catechumenal followers, even though its longtime members used it to gather for repasts after funerals. Also, the marble altar railings used when kneeling for prayer or Communion were removed…

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