Adaptation of “A Christmas Carol” Soars Podcast Charts

Last updated on: December 12, 2024 at 5:47 pm By William Hemsworth

Chicago, IL, December 12, 2024 — The timeless 19th century classic novel from Charles Dickens comes alive to families in a whole new way as an Audio Advent Calendar thanks to the creative interpretation of The Merry Beggars, a Christian entertainment apostolate dedicated to producing uplifting and exceptionally-produced audio content for families. Adapted into 25 immersive installments, featuring the vocal talents of professional actors, “A Christmas Carol: An Audio Advent Calendar” has surpassed the 1 million download mark, officially reaching #1 in the Apple Fiction... Read more

Meet the teacher devoted to protecting Polish culture

Last updated on: December 5, 2024 at 5:44 pm By William Hemsworth

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When Bożena Konkiel first started teaching music and math at St. Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Academy in Brooklyn’s Greenpoint neighborhood in 2000, nearly 80% of her students were Polish-American. These days, that number is as low as 20% — and in some classes, zero. But Konkiel’s devotion to teaching and celebrating the music of her native Poland is helping keep this crucial cultural connection alive for the area’s students and the greater community. “I teach all of my students... Read more

U.S. Navy Chaplain Hopeful Ordained a Transitional Deacon

Last updated on: November 25, 2024 at 7:27 pm By William Hemsworth

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LOS ANGELES – The Reverend Mr. Paul Collins, LT, USNR, a candidate for Catholic priesthood and United States Military chaplaincy, was ordained a transitional deacon on Saturday, Nov. 23, in his home Archdiocese of Los Angeles, CA. The new deacon is on track to be ordained a priest next year and hopes eventually to serve as a Catholic chaplain in the United States Navy, providing pastoral care to Catholic sailors, U.S. Marines, Coast Guard members, and their families, with endorsement and faculties from the Archdiocese... Read more

Archdiocese Sets New Records for Attendance and Proceeds

Last updated on: November 24, 2024 at 2:58 pm By William Hemsworth

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WASHINGTON, DC – The Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS), set new records Saturday evening for both attendance and giving at its 16th Annual Benefit. His Excellency, the Most Rev. Timothy P. Broglio, J.C.D., Archbishop for the Military Services, hosted a record 383 guests at the Saint John Paul II National Shrine in Northeast Washington. The guests, including active-duty and retired senior U.S. Military officers and their spouses, raised $513,000 for the Archdiocese, the largest amount ever collected in the history of the Annual Benefit.... Read more

I Am Second Releases Powerful ‘Second Edition’ Film

Last updated on: November 20, 2024 at 4:46 pm By William Hemsworth

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PLANO, Texas, Nov. 19, 2024 — Global storytelling organization I Am Second has released its latest ‘Second Edition’ film: The Ethan Hallmark Legacy. This compelling film returns to the Hallmark family, who reflect on how their son Ethan, whose courageous battle with stage 4 neuroblastoma (a rare type of childhood cancer), unexpectedly touched the hearts of thousands through his bold faith. In 2014, I Am Second first introduced Ethan’s journey through a short film, Many Are the Wonders, that documented his fight against cancer and the... Read more

Review of Be Yourself: A Journal For Catholic Boys

Last updated on: November 14, 2024 at 6:10 pm By William Hemsworth

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It has been a while since I have done a book review and admit that I need to do more. I recently received a copy of Be Yourself: A Journal For Catholic Boys. My 11 year old son was with me when I opened the package and he ran off with it. It drew him in and the contents helped him grow in his faith. The author of the book in Amy Brooks and she is the founder of Catholics... Read more

Survey Reveals Ways for Parishes to Make People Feel Welcome

Last updated on: November 14, 2024 at 5:40 pm By William Hemsworth

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Florence, SC, November 12, 2024— With overall trends showing lower numbers of Mass attendees, Catholic parishes seek to better understand how to improve their outreach strategies, particularly leading up to Christmas, one of two times of the year when Americans are most likely to attend church. ACS Technologies, a 45-year leader in church management software, market expertise, and data analysis, gleaned key insights from a recent survey aimed at further investigating why self-identifying Catholics consider “warm and friendly encounters” to... Read more

Prospective Catholic Chaplains Mull Vocation at Retreat

Last updated on: November 7, 2024 at 6:08 pm By William Hemsworth

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BALTIMORE, MD – November 3-9 is National Vocation Awareness week in the U.S. Catholic Church, a weeklong celebration of promoting vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, and consecrated life through prayer and education. What better time to hold a retreat for young men discerning the “vocation within a vocation,” not only to priesthood but military chaplaincy? This past weekend the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS), did just that. Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, J.C.D., hosted a record 30 prospective chaplains (pictured) for its... Read more

Ascension Announces “The Rosary in a Year” Podcast for 2025

Last updated on: November 7, 2024 at 5:57 pm By William Hemsworth

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[Exton, PA, October 28, 2024—] A familiar face from Ascension Presents—Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, CFR—will guide Catholics through a transformative year of prayer. Ascension has announced its 4th “In a Year” podcast: The Rosary in a Year (with Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, CFR). On January 1, 2025, daily episodes will be posted to the Ascension App, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Listeners who want to follow along should download the free Prayer Plan available at www.AscensionPress.com/RosaryInAYear. Much more than just 365 daily Rosary listen-alongs, Rosary in a... Read more

“Catholic Owned” Aims to Build the New Catholic Economy

Last updated on: November 7, 2024 at 5:43 pm By William Hemsworth

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Delray Beach, FL, October 29, 2024— Conscientious buying has become almost impossible in today’s consumeristic marketplace. After struggling to find companies that reflect Catholic values, husband and wife team Matteo Onori and Brooke Joiner founded Catholic Owned, a company and digital platform that exclusively promotes businesses owned by faithful Catholics, to help build what they call a “New Catholic Economy.” The Catholic Owned app features a directory of hundreds of businesses owned by Catholics as well as the Catholic Owned Christmastide... Read more