USCCB Clips

In this episode of Catholic Current, we speak with writer and journalist Elizabeth Bruenig. We discuss and celebrate the history and important role of Catholic social teaching, especially during the past century. This conversation marks the sixth episode of our new series highlighting the significant contributions of Catholics to the United States as we approach the nation’s 250th anniversary.

In this episode of Catholic Current, we speak with Sr. Mary Haddad, RSM, president and CEO of the Catholic Health Association, and also Brian Reardon, VP of Communications and Market

In this episode of Catholic Current, we speak with historians Maria Mazzenga, Ph.D., and Julia G. Young, Ph.D., both of the Catholic University of America. We reflect on the different immigrant communities who have made the Catholic Church in this country what it is today. This conversation marks the second episode of our new series highlighting the significant contributions of Catholics to the United States as we approach the nation’s 250th anniversary.

On the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Bishop Mark Seitz, Chair of the Committee on Migration, issued a statement in solidarity with migrants and invited all people of faith to pray for those forced to move from their homes. Read the statement: On Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, U.S. Bishops’ Migration Chairman Reaffirms Church’s Solidarity with Immigrants. Pope Francis also celebrated Mass for the occasion on December 12, 2022. Watch the CNS video: Pope: Guadalupe's message of hope. Learn more about the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Migration: https://www.usccb.org/committees/migration While praying on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Pope Francis broke down while speaking of the suffering in Ukraine. Watch the CNS video: Pope weeps for Ukraine. On Gaudete Sunday, Pope Francis prayed for the children of Ukraine. Watch the CNS Video Pope: May Christmas bring hope to Ukrainians.

Retired Pope Benedict XVI passed away December 31, 2022, in his residence at the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican Gardens. On January 5, 2023, Pope Francis presided over the funeral Mass for his predecessor: https://www.usccb.org/news/2023/funeral-pope-remembers-benedicts-wisdom-tenderness-devotion Read USCCB President, Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio’s reflection on Pope Benedict XVI: https://www.usccb.org/news/2022/reflection-usccb-president-death-pope-benedict-xvi, as well we reflections and tributes from other U.S. bishops: https://www.usccb.org/pope-benedict-xvi-tributes Starting January 5, you can also pray the novena that has been prepared in Pope benedict XVI’s memory: https://www.usccb.org/novena-pope-benedict-xvi

Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the Archdiocese of the Military Services, USA, and president of the USCCB issued a statement in observance of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. https://www.usccb.org/news/2023/usccb-presidents-statement-observance-rev-martin-luther-king-jr-day-2023 Catholics across the country are observing a nationwide prayer vigil on Thursday, January 19 to Friday, January 20, 2023 and praying a novena to protect human life with “9 Days for Life.” https://www.respectlife.org/9-days-for-life January 18-25 is the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity has a history of over 100 years , in which Christians around the world have taken part in an octave of prayer for visible Christian unity. Watch the video introduction from Fr. Walter Kedjierski, Executive Director of the Secretariat for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs. https://www.usccb.org/resources/introduction-2023-week-prayer-christian-unity Representatives of bishops’ conferences from several countries, including the United States, met for the annual Holy Land Coordination, January 14-19, 2023. Bishop David J. Malloy of Rockford, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace represented the U.S. bishops. Read the communique from the delegation. https://www.usccb.org/news/2023/2023-holy-land-coordination-communique The annual blessing of livestock took place at the Vatican on January 17, 2023.

The observances of National Marriage Week (Feb. 7-14) and World Marriage Day (Sunday, Feb. 12) are an opportunity to focus on building a culture of life and love that begins with supporting and promoting marriage and the family. This year's theme is "Marriage...one flesh, given and received." Learn more at https://www.usccb.org/topics/marriage... The annual Catholic Social Ministry Gathering (CSMG), organized by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and 20 collaborating organizations, attracted hundreds of participants from around the country this week. The conference equips current and emerging leaders in Catholic social ministry and advocacy to cultivate God’s justice as they engage in their communities and around the world. World Day for Consecrated Life is celebrated in the Church on Thursday, February 2, 2023, and in parishes over the weekend of February 4-5, 2023. Please pray for all those who have made commitments in the consecrated life and be sure to thank them on their special day. Pope Francis heard horrifying stories of cruelty and violence February 1 during a meeting in Kinshasa with victims from eastern Congo, a region the pope had to cancel his plans to visit because of the worsening security situation.

On Ash Wednesday Churches in the United States will take a special collection for the Church in Central and Eastern Europe. We were joined by Jennifer Healy, Director for Aid to the Church in Central and Eastern Europe, to tell us more about the collection. Learn more about the collection at: https://www.usccb.org/committees/church-central-eastern-europe/collection-church-central-and-eastern-europe The Lenten season begins on Ash Wednesday, February 22nd. We discussed with Father Andrew Menke, Executive Director of the Secretariat of Divine Worship, how to best utilize this period of prayer, fasting and almsgiving in preparation for Easter. Find more Lenten resources here: https://www.usccb.org/prayer-worship/liturgical-year/lent Pope Francis called for prayer and peace in Nicaragua after Bishop Rolando Alvarez was imprisoned for criticizing the Ortega-Murillo regime. Last week, the USCCB welcomed expelled Nicaraguan Priest and Seminarians who were able to celebrate mass for the first time in six months. Please continue to pray for the People of Nicaragua. Read more at: https://www.usccb.org/news/2023/pope-pained-nicaraguan-bishops-26-year-prison-sentence