A funeral mass for Father Ralph Ransom Jr., S.S.J, was offered June 12 at St. Joseph Manor, Baltimore. Father Ransom, who was 76, spent most of his priestly life in southeast Texas, but began it as associate pastor of St. Peter Claver in Baltimore. He died June 7 at St. Joseph Manor.Read More

LIMA, Peru – As Latin American Catholics celebrated the start of the new year with World Peace Day, their countries’ leaders seemed to be preparing for war.Read More

JERUSALEM – Although a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians may not be reached in 2010, Franciscan Father Pierbattista Pizzaballa, head of the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land, said he believed there would be movement in that direction.Read More

Some of the institutions that helped shape the man who delivered one of the most distinctive catch phrases ever spoken on television were paid back in full.Read More

VATICAN CITY – The Vatican has set up two new anti-terrorism units that will work closely with international police experts to prevent possible attacks, the Vatican’s director of security announced.Read More

The epiphany came around Thanksgiving. Colleen McDowell had reason to take stock. Her 2009 had been buffeted by a bout with cancer that had tested more than her physical health, shaking her independence, her routine and her self-admitted vanity.Read More

WASHINGTON – The debate over health care reform topped the religious news stories of 2009, and Pope Benedict XVI and President Barack Obama were again the top newsmakers, according to the annual poll conducted by Catholic News Service.Read More

Our wedding was a first for both of our families. Everyone was learning as we made the plans, and everyone had different expectations. You may have had a similar experience; the bride has ideas of what will be perfect, but her parents see it as an occasion to celebrate family relationships or impress the neighbors,...Read More