‘An example of Christian life’: Mass welcomes saint’s relic

Rosa Gonzalez clearly recalls how, when her father Jesús Mercado hosted family gatherings at his home in Jalisco, Mexico, they would always start with a private Mass. It was the 1930s, the time of the Cristero War, when Catholics were persecuted by the Mexican government.

Canines to Invade the Cathedral

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES – Normally the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels is a place for religious worship. On one evening this week, it’s a place for barking and socializing.

After the Hobby Lobby case

The U.S. Supreme Court made a good decision this week in recognizing that Hobby Lobby’s owners can follow their religious beliefs and conscience in running their family business.

The court’s decision in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. was narrow and specific to smaller, family-held businesses.

Holiness is our daily task

Holiness is the heart of our relationship with Jesus and holiness is the heart of our mission as Christians.

We need a new conversation about religion in American life

Last week at the annual Spring meeting of the United States Catholic bishops, my brother bishops and I voted unanimously to continue our “ad hoc” Committee for Religious Liberty for another three years.

Jersey Vargas stays the course for immigration reform

For 10-year-old Jersey Vargas, her four siblings and her parents, Teodula and Mario — a humble immigrant family living in the Los Angeles area — the last three months have been a blur, from Jersey’s rare opportunity to meet Pope Francis, to Mario’s long-awaited release from an ICE detention center, to the whirlwind of media attention that followed their heartfelt family reunion.

St. John Bosco’s Matt Katnik: Champion on and off the field

Matthew Katnik’s approach to athletic competition and life might be exemplied in his experience at the Mount San Antonio College meet earlier this year.

The top-ranked junior shot-putter in the U.S., Katnik was battling the state’s top shot putter, Dotun Ogundeji from Madison, San Diego, who led by an inch as Katnik made his last throw — over 67 feet, good enough for first place. But an official ruled a foul, negating the throw.

Some prayers and reflections for summer

I’m on my way to New Orleans for the annual Spring meeting of the United States Catholic Bishops. As I travel, I find myself praying and reflecting on the many great things that have been going on here in the Archdiocese in recent weeks.