Pope names Milwaukee auxiliary bishop to head Gary Diocese

By Catholic News Service

WASHINGTON (CNS) — Pope Francis has appointed Auxiliary Bishop Donald J. Hying of Milwaukee as bishop of Gary, Indiana, and accepted the resignation of Bishop Dale J. Melczek, who has headed the diocese since 1996.

The changes were announced Nov. 24 in Washington by Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, apostolic nuncio to the United States.

Bishop Hying, 51, has been an auxiliary bishop in Milwaukee since 2011. Bishop Melczek is 76 years old. Canon law requires a bishop to turn in his resignation at age 75.

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Misa el 20 de noviembre honrará la memoria de los 43 normalistas

Acompáñanos a honrar la memoria de los 43 normalistas asesinados en Ayotzinapa, Guerrero. La misa de réquiem será oficiada por el rector de nuestra catedral basílica de San Antonio, Monseñor Jeremiah J. McGrath por el eterno descanso de los estudiantes y la pronta resignación de sus familias, el jueves 20 de noviembre de 2014 a las 12:10 p.m. en la capilla del recinto. Como gesto de solidaridad se les pide a las personas que se vistan de negro en este día, uniéndonos a los dolientes y al resto del mundo que lamenta este trágico incidente. #Ayotzinapa, #JusticiaparaAyotzinapa, #Yamecanse

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Mass Nov. 20 to honor the memory of the 43 Mexican students

Join in honoring the memory of the 43 Mexican students who were killed in Ayotzinapa, Guerrero. Msgr. Jeremiah McGrath will celebrate a Mass for their eternal rest and the consoling of their families at 12:10 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, at St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica. Vigils and prayer services are being held worldwide and people are asked to wear black clothing Thursday in solidarity. #Ayotzinapa, #JusticeforAyotzinapa

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Pope confirms he will visit Philadelphia in September

By Francis X. Rocca Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis said he would attend the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia in September, making it the first confirmed stop on what is expected to be a more extensive papal visit to North America.

The pope made the announcement Nov. 17 in a speech opening an interreligious conference on traditional marriage.

“I would like to confirm that, God willing, in September 2015 I will go to Philadelphia for the eighth World Meeting of Families,” the pope said.

The announcement had been widely expected, since Pope Benedict XVI had said before his retirement that he hoped to attend the Philadelphia event. Popes typically fulfill their predecessors’ publicly known travel plans, as Pope Francis did in July 2013 when he attended World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro.

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Harvest of Hope

Catholic Charities of Southeast Texas presented Msgr. William Manger and Msgr. Bennie Patillo with a token of recognition for their years of ministry at the Nov. 6 Harvest of Hope which benefits Catholic Charities of Southeast Texas. 

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Vatican public restrooms to include showers for the homeless

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The archbishop who distributes charity on behalf of Pope Francis has announced that the public restrooms in St. Peter’s Square will include showers where the homeless can wash.

The service will require volunteers and donations of soap, towels and clean underwear, Archbishop Konrad Krajewski, the papal almoner, told Catholic News Service Nov. 13. “We have to be evangelical, but intelligent, too.”

Several people living on the streets of Rome or in tents say it is not difficult to find a parish or charity that will give them something to eat, but finding a place to wash is much more difficult.

Barbara, a Polish woman who lives in a tent with her teenage son and a companion, said showers in the Vatican’s public restrooms “would be good. We’d thank them if it works.”

Her companion, who calls himself Stefano, said: “I’m a mason without work. I’ll help them build it. No problem.”

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Catholics want to learn more about their faith, bishops report

By Carol Zimmermann Catholic News Service

BALTIMORE (CNS) — For three and a half years, members of several U.S. bishops’ committees have been trying to pinpoint what Catholics in the pew are thinking and why they accept or reject church teachings.

To this end, they have conducted multiple surveys and interviews of various groups of Catholics: fervent believers, Latinos, singles, parents, priests and church leaders. Although responses have varied, one of the takeaways is that Catholics by and large want to learn more about what it means to be Catholic.

Boston Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley, chairman of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities, introduced the findings to the bishops Nov. 11 during their annual fall assembly in Baltimore.

He said the research was initially conducted to determine how to better communicate with Catholics and why they accept or disregard church teachings on the value of human life.

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An Evening of Prayer at St. Martin de Porres, Cheek

History and heritage celebrated at prayer service An Evening of Prayer in celebration of the memory of St. Martin de Porres brought together parishioners from around the diocese Nov. 2 at St. Martin de Porres Church, Cheek. The evening also ushered in National Black Catholic History Month which is celebrated each November in honor of the rich history and heritage of Black Catholics in the Church.

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