Catholics Called to Love, Unity and Active Service at the 2018 Eucharistic Congress

March 19, 2018

By Jeff Brumley Catholics are responsible for sharing Christ in an age and culture both ignorant of and hostile to the values of the gospel. That was the consistent message presented to the 5,000 or more Catholic faithful during the 2018 Eucharistic Congress held March 16-17 at the Prime F. Osborn III Center in Jacksonville. Read More

SPECIAL REPORT Pope Francis’ 5th Anniversary

March 13, 2018

By Peggy DeKeyser Pope Francis is a pontiff of firsts, to be sure. The first pope from the Americas, he is also the first Jesuit, the first non-European since Gregory III, a Syrian, in 741, and the first from south of the equator. Five years ago, on March 13, 2013, white smoke rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, signifying his election to the papacy by a two-thirds majority of cardinal electors. To mark his fifth anniversary as Holy Father, let’s take a look at some accomplishments and interesting facts about Pope Francis. Read More

Call to Prayer and Action Urging Congress to Enact the Conscience Protection Act

March 6, 2018

Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York, chair of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Pro-Life Activities, and Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, chair of the USCCB’s Committee for Religious Liberty urge the faithful to flood Congress with emails and calls asking for enactment of the Conscience Protection Act as part of the 2018 funding bill and to pray for this outcome. Congress is currently considering whether to include the Conscience Protection Act in must-pass government funding legislation, and a decision on the Conscience Protection Act’s inclusion will be made prior to March 23, 2018. Read More

Hispanics at Encuentro: ‘We belong here’ – 300 Delegates to regional gathering discuss solutions to challenges of faith and culture

February 28, 2018

By Ana Rodriguez-Soto Florida Catholic staff Gathered in Miami for three days of intense reflection, 300 mostly Hispanic Catholics pondered problems and proffered solutions to three overriding challenges: speaking Spanish in an English-speaking Church, being immigrants in a country that has turned increasingly hostile to their presence, and being believers in a progressively secular society. Read More

Legacy Events Challenge Greek College Students to Live Out Faith

February 28, 2018

The Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) recently hosted two Legacy Conferences challenging Greek students to discover God’s plan, live with a purpose and establish a meaningful legacy for the future – both on campus and in eternity. More than 870 attendees joined in the events in Atlanta Feb. 9 – 11, and Kansas City Feb. 23 – 25. Read More

Blessed Trinity Parish coordinates colossal diaper drive to support Women’s Help Center in Jacksonville

February 28, 2018

Blessed Trinity parishioners in Jacksonville collected more than 11,000 diapers and 12,300 baby wipes as part of their Diaper Drive for the Women's Help Center in Jacksonville. Great commitment to supporting life! Read More

U.S. Bishops’ Urges Immediate “Humane Solution” for Dreamers

February 27, 2018

On Feb. 26, the U.S. Supreme Court declined the government’s request to hear its “appeal before judgment” on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) cases. Accordingly, the lower court injunctions in the California and New York, DACA cases remain in effect nationally and DACA renewals remain available to those who currently have DACA status. Read More

National Call-in Day for Dreamers for February 26

February 21, 2018

Today, February 26, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) hosts the National Catholic Call-In Day to Protect Dreamers, and urges the faithful across the nation to call their Members of Congress to protect Dreamers from deportation, to provide them a path to citizenship, and to avoid any damage to existing protections for families and unaccompanied minors in the process. To take part in the Call-in-Day, please contact your Members of Congress by calling (855) 589-5698.  Read More

Bridges, Not Walls: Reflections of the Bishops’ Pilgrimage for Peace in the Holy Land

February 16, 2018

We came as Pilgrims of Peace to this Land that is Holy to Jews, Christians, and Muslims. We encountered many walls and some bridges, as we sought out those on the peripheries. As Pope Francis repeatedly reminds us, we believe peace with justice for the two peoples and three faiths of this Land can only come through building “bridges, not walls.” Read More

Florida Governor Rick Scott Signs Death Warrant for Eric Scott Branch

February 15, 2018

After a couple of months with no executions in Florida, a death warrant for Eric Scott Branch was signed by Gov. Rick Scott on Friday, Jan. 19. His execution is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 22, at 6:00 p.m. Branch was convicted of the murder of Susan Morris, a University of West Florida student, in 1993. Read More