The Philippine Postal Corporation is issuing a block of four stamps to commemorate Pope Francis' planned visit to the country Jan. 15-19.
Experts laud Samuel Rayan: Four-day seminar, organized to honor the Indian Jesuit theologian
Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke on the Catholic “Man-crisis” and what to do about it . Several bloggers and Tweeters have been sharing this interview with Cardinal Burke on the website eMANgelization.
Cardinal Parolin (Vatican secretary of state): Parolin: Francis' choice of cardinals reflects 'an opening of heart and mind' Also suggests a more active global diplomacy under Francis.
Michael Sean Winters on The New Cardinals
Commentary: Kenyan laws still fail to protect women against violence by Sr. Adelaide Ndilu
Australian Jesuit (now teaching in Boston) unpacks biography of Francis by British expert on Argentia: Rise of the Great Reformer: Austen Ivereigh and the Making of Pope Francis NCR's review of Ivereigh's book is in the next print issue.
A climate-change skeptic reflects on What will Pope Francis say about the environment?
Mexico Ciyt, Mexico -- Mexico’s Priests Are Marked for Murder
Wausau, Wis. -- Parishioners at St. Anne Parish used proceeds from the annual parish Advent fundraiser to buy iPods and music to 30 residents living with Alzheimer's disease and dementia at Mount View Care Center. That equipment will triple the size of the center's Music & Memory program, part of a national endeavor that provides music to people with disabling cognitive diseases.
Read more about the papal trip stamps from the Philippines.
Durban, South Africa -- The Roman Catholic Church has the mammoth task of getting other Christians to buy into the idea of a new version of the Zulu Bible which is being translated from the biblical languages like Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek and Latin. At least 20 people, including translators, theologians, cultural experts, linguists and even a novelist, are involved in the project.
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 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.
