On October 10, Pope Francis inaugurated a two-year synodal process which will culminate in a universal Synod scheduled to take place in Rome in October 2023. The following Sunday, October 17, the synodal process was inaugurated in every diocese of the world by every bishop with a celebration at their cathedral church.

In our family home of more than 60 years there was a fireplace. It was very small and narrow and I assume intended to be only decorative. It simply was not large enough to actually build a fire. There were andirons and a handful of logs. When I think back to my childhood home, however, this tiny fireplace figures prominently in my memories.

The Solemnity of All Saints, which we celebrate on Monday, Nov. 1, should give us great hope! The saints show us that despite what we might think, holiness is possible for everyone. The saints we celebrate are not just symbols or unrelatable beings. Among the saints...

In the last days of the Second Vatican Council, Pope St. Paul VI, having observed the fruits of the dialogues and conversation of this historic council, created a permanent Synod of Bishops. His intent was to create a structure by which the world’s bishops could send...

Just a very few weeks ago I thought it safe to assume that the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic had been turned back in the United States. Infection rates and hospitalizations had been declining for months and people were seeking vaccinations in good, if not ideal,...

By the time you receive this edition of The Western Kentucky Catholic in your home, we will have just observed the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly on July 25, 2021.  Pope Francis, in his wisdom, called for the observance of this day in light of the challenging year we’ve just come through and its impact most especially on the older members of our parish communities and our families. Many became ill, others died or suffered the loss of a spouse or loved one, and many others experienced profound isolation and loneliness. Our Holy Father reminds us that God has been with us through it all, choosing as the theme for the observance, “I am with you always.”

Many times over the last 14 months I have commented that it seems like the Lent that began in 2020 is still with us – 40 days plus 400 days.

Everyone can probably answer the question as to what was the greatest sacrifice they have experienced in the past year of pandemic.

History shows that humanity is fascinated by predicting the future. Literature and fairy tales have created images such as crystal balls and reading tea leaves to portray this fascination.

Feb. 11, 2021 marks the 29th annual observance by the Catholic Church of the World Day of the Sick. This date coincides, as St. John Paul II intended it when he initiated this observance, with the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes.