WASHINGTON--This spring, the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) awarded grants in the amount of $68,266.50 for five projects that support the goals of the CCD to promote Catholic biblical literacy and Catholic biblical interpretation.

The CCD works with the Catholic Biblical Association (CBA) to offer these grants, accepting applications only from the CBA, including the organization itself, its designees, and its full and associate members. In fidelity to Dei Verbum, the CBA's purpose is to promote scholarly study in Scripture and related fields by meetings of the association, publications, and support to those engaged in such studies.

WASHINGTON—In June, the National Religious Retirement Office (NRRO) distributed $28 million in financial assistance to 360 U.S. religious communities to help underwrite the care of aging members. The funding is made possible by the Retirement Fund for Religious collection, an annual, parish-based appeal benefiting some 30,000 senior religious and their communities.  

The latest appeal was held in most U.S. Catholic parishes in December 2018 and raised $27.7 million.

WASHINGTON— Today, bishops from two committees at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) expressed their opposition to a proposed rule by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that would lead to separation or housing instability for many families. Bishop Joe S. Vásquez of Austin, Chairman of the USCCB Committee on Migration, and Bishop Frank J. Dewane, Bishop of Venice, FL, Chairman of the USCCB Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, offered the following statements.

“The proposed rule would have terrible consequences for thousands of mixed-status families,” said Bishop Vásquez. “It would force these families to make a heartbreaking choice - endure family separation so that eligible members can continue to receive critical housing assistance or stay together and forfeit any such assistance. This choice between unity and stability is one no family should have to make. We urge HUD to withdraw this deeply concerning proposed rule.”

Throughout the history of the Church, men and women have emerged whose contributions have not only advanced the Church’s mission, but have also changed the course of civilization . . . These are the Pivotal Players. Bishop Barron has been retracing the lives of these incredible men and women since 2014 for his illuminative CATHOLICISM: The Pivotal Players documentary series. He is wrapping up filming this month, and you can go behind the scenes with him! Sign up to join Bishop Barron from July 15-24 as he journeys across Italy, Spain, and the Dominican Republic to film the final two installments of CATHOLICISM: The Pivotal Players. By signing up, you’ll receive daily videos and reflections from Bishop Barron and the production crew throughout their trip. Watch the trailer above to preview his upcoming filming trip and discover the final two protagonists of the CATHOLICISM: The Pivotal Players series. Then sign up for behind the…

God gave me parents more suited for heaven than this earth. —St. Thérèse of Lisieux I have been ministering to youth and young adults for more than a decade, and there seems to be overwhelming hopelessness. There are many reasons for this, but one of the most poignant comes shortly after asking them, “When is the first time you witnessed authentic love?” For many of them, it takes some time to respond to this, especially young adults. I’ve met people in their twenties who can very much attest to only recently seeing love lived well, embodied even. It’s one of the greatest compliments when some have said the first time they witnessed it was in my home, with my husband or with our children. It’s humiliating (in a good way) but also saddening to know that sources of authentic love—primarily…

Having made my first promises in 2002 (after three years of dallying), I will this upcoming September celebrate seventeen years as a fully professed Benedictine Oblate. I’m sure my Holy Father Saint Benedict is rolling his eyes, rather unimpressed. After all these years, I can’t say I’m an impressive Benedictine, and I am sure he asks from heaven, “Have you gotten that Rule down yet?” Erm, well, no, Father. Not yet. Especially not that part about receiving all guests as Christ. “Let all guests who arrive be received like Christ, for He is going to say, ‘I came as a guest, and you received Me’” (Rule of St. Benedict, chapter 53). I became a Benedictine, rather than a Secular Franciscan, because my instincts have always been to the quiet side of life. I have always preferred prayerful contemplation and reading to almost anything else, and my instinct has always run…

“Out of sight, out of mind” is a clichéd expression, but it’s proven to be true in my case.

Read more about Set Him Always Before You

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Tuesday, July 16, 2019 Tuesday of the Fifteenth Week of Ordinary Time Readings for Today Our Lady of Mount Carmel – Optional Memorial Jesus began to reproach ... Read more>>>

Monday, July 15, 2019 Monday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time Readings for Today Saint Bonaventure, Bishop and Doctor – Memorial Jesus said to his Apostles: ... Read more>>>

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We hear the word “tolerance” a lot these days, but what exactly does it mean? It seems the word itself has been largely redefined to mean the opposite of what it used to mean. Today, the word “tolerance” means that one is no longer allowed to hold opinions with which other people do not agree. Let’s take a step back [...]

The post Into the Deep—Bearing One Another’s Burdens appeared first on Integrated Catholic Life™.

“Rather than viewing the law as restrictive, we must see that it is ordered to our happiness and flourishing.” Moses makes the moral life sound quite simple. “You have only to carry it out.” Contrary to the false definition of freedom and message of autonomy that the world tends to give, the first reading this coming Sunday reminds us that [...]

The post The Law Written in Love appeared first on Integrated Catholic Life™.

Not long ago a priest shared some guidance with my wife and me that has been the cause of a great deal of conversation and reflection in our home.  In response to learning that we pray every day about our oldest son’s future and that he be healed of his autism, he encouraged us to pray first for acceptance. Let [...]

The post Learning to Accept God’s Will appeared first on Integrated Catholic Life™.

We hear the word “tolerance” a lot these days, but what exactly does it mean? It seems the word itself has been largely redefined to mean the opposite of what it used to mean. Today, the word “tolerance” means that one is no longer allowed to hold opinions with which other people do not agree. Let’s take a step back [...]

The post Into the Deep—Bearing One Another’s Burdens appeared first on Integrated Catholic Life™.

“Rather than viewing the law as restrictive, we must see that it is ordered to our happiness and flourishing.” Moses makes the moral life sound quite simple. “You have only to carry it out.” Contrary to the false definition of freedom and message of autonomy that the world tends to give, the first reading this coming Sunday reminds us that [...]

The post The Law Written in Love appeared first on Integrated Catholic Life™.

Not long ago a priest shared some guidance with my wife and me that has been the cause of a great deal of conversation and reflection in our home.  In response to learning that we pray every day about our oldest son’s future and that he be healed of his autism, he encouraged us to pray first for acceptance. Let [...]

The post Learning to Accept God’s Will appeared first on Integrated Catholic Life™.