Joshua J. McElwee is about an hour from filing his latest story from Rome and the synod on the family. Fr. Tom Reese, meanwhile, is writing about the chance of changing church doctrine (little). Read all of NCR synod coverage here.
NCR Book Club today reviews Cardinal Kasper's book, Mercy: Mercy has been 'criminally neglected,' which is a 'catastrophic' situation
Hong Kong -- A former Catholic bishop of Hong Kong has warned of China's growing influence and urged Christians to unite in the "fight" for democracy.
Obituary: Benedict J. Groeschel, Priest and Author, Dies at 81
Pope Francis tipped to win Nobel Peace Prize -- announcement Friday?
Winona, Minn. -- Bankruptcy could help Winona diocese avoid sex abuse lawsuits
Al-Qaida-linked group kidnaps Franciscan priest and 20 other Christians in Syria
Nuns on the Bus Blog: Days 17-18 by GSR staff -- 
Global Sisters Report, devoted to covering the mission and ministry of Catholic women religious. It offers news, commentary and reflections on spirituality and theology.
The life of an archbishop (in the Church of England): Archbishop of York calls for living wage for care workers and, later, archbishop of York criticized for supporting sanctions against a gay priest who married his partner.
NCR blogger Pat Perriello asks: What progress is the church making on women's issues?
Rochester, N.Y., paper does Q&A with NCR columnist and book editor Jamie Manson (She'll talk 7 p.m. Oct. 16 at Nazareth College in Rochester.)
Conshohocken, Pa. -- Parishioners from two Roman Catholic churches merged into St. Matthew Parish this year are complaining about cavalier treatment by archdiocesan officials, a lack of information about preserving the ethnic religious traditions of the Polish and Italian parishes and the uncertain fate of precious statues of the churches’ saints.
Concord, N.H. -- In an attempt to climb out of a nearly $300,000 deficit, Christ the King Parish has closed two churches for the winter and cut 10 staff members. Two churches put up for sale.
Looking for a little inspiration to begin your day? NCR's sister publication, Celebration, gives you two options, both based on the Scripture readings of the day:
Pencil Preaching is a blog in which Celebration editor Pat Marrin combines Scripture and sketching to reflect on the Word.
Daily Bread is a series of short reflections written by four authors who meet regularly to share the readings. Daily Bread is intended to help daily preachers and others who pray from the assigned Scriptures each day to orient themselves to the Living Word addressed to the church in the world. It's a great way to begin the day.
