BISMARCK, North Dakota. In 2012, when Michelle Duppong, who was about to become director of adult formation for the Diocese of Bismarck, North Dakota, asked Jacqueline Matta Balzer if she could be her roommate, Balzer had no idea she was dealing with a possible future saint. Still, “You could just sense there was a holiness about her,” Balzer recalls.

WASHINGTON. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops invites the faithful to join in a novena for mental health as part of the second year of the USCCB’s ongoing National Catholic Mental Health Campaign.

WASHINGTON, D.C. On a Saturday morning in March, about 80 Catholics gathered for two hours at the Archdiocese of St. Louis’ headquarters in a southwest St. Louis suburb.

Their aim was to reflect on two questions: “Where have I seen or experienced successes — and distresses — within the Church’s structure(s)/organization/leadership/life that encourage or hinder the mission?” and “How can the structures and organization of the Church help all the baptized to respond to the call to proclaim the Gospel and to live as a community of love and mercy in Christ?”

We don’t often consider when the gospels were written, but one should know that John’s Gospel appeared last, likely in the mid-to-late 90s. He had the other three gospel accounts in front of him, and his intention was to elaborate on, clarify and spiritualize incidents found in them.

VATICAN CITY. Pope Francis plans to launch a humanitarian project in Gaza or the West Bank with the possible help of the traditional Good Friday collection for the Holy Land, said the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches.

DENVER. On May 18-19, groups of eight young adults will leave San Francisco; New Haven, Connecticut; San Juan, Texas; and Itasca State Park in Minnesota.

The discovery of the apparently incorrupt remains of Sister Mary Wilhelmina Lancaster of the Most Holy Rosary on April 28, 2023, has created hopeful excitement within the American Catholic Community.  It has also inspired many to look closer at the life of this little-known African American religious and to consider the history of rich contributions by African Americans to Catholicism.  Sister Wilhelmina’s quiet but determined faith inspired others to live her credo, “God’s Will.” 

COLORADO SPRINGS. Catholic Schools Week will be observed Jan. 28 - Feb. 3. Following is a listing of the various activities planned by schools in the diocese for Catholic Schools Week 2024. 

ROME. This year, Catholics will be able to receive a plenary indulgence from Dec. 8, the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, to Feb. 2, 2024, the feast of the Presentation in the Temple of Our Lord Jesus Christ, by praying before a Nativity scene in a Franciscan church.

COLORADO SPRINGS. Nearly 30 years ago, a Catholic priest from Ukraine visited Colorado Springs and forged a lifelong friendship with a local pastor — a relationship that led to the creation of a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping the Ukrainian Catholic Church rebuild after decades of Soviet oppression.

Last August, the same priest returned to Colorado Springs — this time as a bishop — to give local Catholics a first-hand account of conditions in his war-torn country and ask for their ongoing support.