"To have ... To hold ... To honor: Supporting God's gifts of love and life in marriage" is the theme of Natural Family Planning Awareness Week July 25-31.

Vandals defaced the long-revered statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus outside St. Lawrence Basilica over the July 3-4 weekend, but it was quickly restored by parish staff.

Reciting the Angelus prayer July 4 with visitors in St. Peter's Square, Pope Francis gave his usual reflection on the day's Gospel reading and announced a September trip to Hungary and Slovakia, but did not mention that he was about to go to the hospital for surgery.

Try a little tenderness. That's basically how Cardinal Kevin J. Farrell, 73, summarized Pope Francis' vision for what older people, their grandchildren and friends should do to change the world after the COVID-19 pandemic.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Religious Freedom Week June 22-29 is an opportunity for Catholics across the country to take a "stand for the freedom on which this country was founded: The freedom to live out our faith publicly," said Arlington Bishop Michael F. Burbidge.

The first day of the U.S. bishops' June 16-18 spring assembly, held virtually because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, began with discussion of how to proceed with a major topic the bishops will be taking up: the drafting of a formal statement on the "meaning of the Eucharist in the life of the church."

Alligators are a dime a dozen in south Louisiana, but Father Stephen Dardis, pastor of Holy Family Church in Luling, said he was dutifully impressed by the ambitious journey of a 7-foot gator that ended within a few feet of the front steps of the church.

A special video series developed by Catholic Extension for the "Month of Mary" has highlighted throughout May the many ways Catholics of the Americas honor Mary in their native languages and culture customs.

Burglars have stolen a set of golden rosary beads that once belonged to Mary, Queen of Scots.

Sometimes a person's dreams and aspirations go up in smoke, but God always is there with bigger and better plans, Pope Francis said, pointing to St. Ignatius of Loyola as an example.