I read the Catechism of the Catholic Church with a dictionary close at hand. The section about prayer (CCC 2613) uses the word “importunate” to describe two parable characters: The first, “the importunate friend,” invites us to urgent prayer: “Knock and it will be op

Christian Associates of Southwest PA is an ecumenical group founded in 1970 that includes 26 church bodies (Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant) representing 2,000 local congregations and 1,000,000 Christians in the following counties: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Gree

Bishop Zubik of the Diocese of Pittsburgh celebrated Mass on March 30 to mark the statewide day of prayer and fasting for religious liberty.  In his homily, Bishop Zubik tells us what the instructions he received from a high school teacher in 1967 have to do with our battle over relig

Catholics across Pennsylvania are taking their usual Lenten Friday practices one step further today. Earlier this month, the Catholic Bishops of Pennsylvania issued a letter requesting that all Catholics dedicate the regular Lenten Friday practice of prayer and abstinence from meat as

The Catholic Bishops of Pennsylvania have called for Friday, March 30, 2012, to be a day of prayer, fasting and abstinence for religious liberty. Click here to send a message in support of religious liberty. Below is their letter to the faithful:     Brothers and Sisters in

SEND A MESSAGE TO CONGRESS IN SUPPORT OF RELIGIOUS LIBERTY HERE. On February 10, the Obama Administration announced some adjustments to the HHS mandate in an attempt to assuage the valid concerns raised by hundreds of thousands of Americans over the past two weeks. However, the origin

Since the announcement of the Department of Health and Human Services mandate that would force religious employers to violate their consciences and pay for abortion-causing drugs, sterilization and contraception, much misinformation has been bantered about regarding health care, Catho

The U.S.  Senate’s 51-48 vote March 1 to table the bipartisan Respect for Rights of Conscience Act (S. 1467), sponsored by Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO) and 37 other senators, impels the Church to strengthen its resolve to support religious freedom. Both of Pennsylvania’s Senators Pa

Exaggerations and outright misrepresentations about the Department of Health and Human Services’ contraceptive mandate have been appearing in White House “fact sheets” and mainstream media. The Catholic News Service addresses some of the more frequently cited claims

There has been much reaction to the recent HHS edict that will force Catholics to violate their conscience. Bishop David Zubik of the Diocese of Pittsburgh wrote, “It is really hard to believe that it happened. It comes like a slap in the face. The Obama administration has just