VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV said Thursday he intended to bring the world’s Catholic cardinals together annually, indicating a new governing style for the church that cardinals welcomed as a chance to get to know themselves and the pope better and be of greater service to the church. At ...
Millions of people around the world celebrated Orthodox Christmas on Wednesday, nearly two weeks after much of the world marked the holy day. Certain Eastern Orthodox churches, including those in Russian and other traditions, follow the ancient Julian calendar. It runs 13 days later than the Gregorian calendar, used by Catholic and Protestant churches as well as by much of the secular world for everyday use. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church and some other Oriental Orthodox churches — which are distinct from Eastern Orthodox but share many traditions — also celebrated Christmas on ...
On Dec. 6, 2025, the Franciscan Friars, T.O.R., concluded their yearly celebration of the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Province of the Immaculate Conception. The Mass was celebrated at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Altoona, with Bishop Mark Bartchak presiding and the ...
Free lunch served Fourth Street Church of God will serve the monthly lunch from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 3. The New Year’s meal will include sauerkraut with pork and hot dogs, mashed potatoes, drink and dessert. Food pantry available The food pantry at Twenty-eighth Street Church of the Brethren, 28th Street and Union Avenue, is available for those in need. Distribution will be held from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 16 and Friday, Jan. 30, by appointment only. Call Deb at 814-207-8293. Free soup program begins St. Michael Catholic Church, Montgomery and Spruce streets, ...
For faith leaders supporting and ministering to anxious immigrants across the United States, 2025 was fraught with challenges and setbacks. For many in these religious circles, the coming year could be worse. The essence of their fears: President Donald Trump has become harsher with his contemptuous rhetoric and policy proposals, blaming immigrants for problems from crime to housing shortages and, in a social media post, demanding “REVERSE MIGRATION.” Haitians who fled gang violence in their homeland, as well as Afghans allowed entry after assisting the U.S. in Afghanistan before ...
NEW YORK — It is one of the most surprising music stories of the year. While streams of new music — releases from the last 18 months — were down from last year, one genre is on the rise: Christian and gospel music, according to industry data and analytics company Luminate’s 2025 ...
