The Church in America

The Gillis Literacy Center opened at Kolbe Cathedral Preparatory School on October 30 to provide reading support for Catholic school students in Bridgeport. The center is the first of five literacy spaces planned for the city.

A $6.3 million gift from Dr. Margie Gillis and Chip Gillis funds a five-year initiative to assist more than 1,000 students. The program provides one-on-one reading intervention for students and personalized coaching for teachers.

Bishop Frank J. Caggiano spoke at the opening, noting the gift would benefit many young people. Steven Velardo, president of Foundations in Education, hosted the event. Stacie Stueber, the diocese superintendent of schools, stated the resources address the need for individualized support in classrooms.

Bishop James T. Schuerman noted that the upcoming liturgical celebrations of All Saints Day on Nov. 1 and All Souls Day on Nov. 2 serve as reminders of the communion between the living and the dead.

The Mass readings through the end of the liturgical year will focus on the last things, including death, resurrection, the Second Coming of Christ, the final judgment, and eternal life. On All Saints Day, the Church honors holy people who serve as examples and intercessors. On All Souls Day, the faithful pray for those who have died, asking God to bring them into the heavenly kingdom.

Father Edward Kolla described a child's definition of sainthood during a tour of Saint Mary Church in Gloucester City. While viewing 19th-century stained-glass windows depicting apostles and doctors of the Church, a student defined a saint as a person through whom light shines.

Father Kolla noted that the sunlight passing through the windows serves as a symbol for the light of Christ animating the minds and hearts of the saints.

Word on Fire has published a list of 22 films about the lives of saints to serve as inspiration for viewers. The collection includes various biographical depictions of canonized figures.

The list features the 2024 film Cabrini, which depicts the life of St. Frances Cabrini and her work in nineteenth-century New York. It also includes Triumph of the Heart, a 2025 film written and directed by Anthony D’Ambrosio that portrays the martyrdom of St. Maximilian Kolbe. Additionally, the list highlights the 2007 film St. Giuseppe Moscati: Doctor to the Poor, which follows the life of the physician who died in 1927 and dedicated his practice to the sick and the poor.

Henry T. Edmondson III writes that the writings of the Inklings, a group of writers based at Oxford University during the first half of the twentieth century, offer principles regarding spiritual warfare.

In an article for Word on Fire, Edmondson notes that while the group did not provide systematic teaching on the subject, their prose and fiction help explain and defend the Christian life. He suggests that revisiting their publications at the end of October provides an opportunity to examine their perspectives on spiritual malevolence. Edmondson observes that the tensions between the various members' contributions can also be instructive for understanding these themes.

Cardinal Gerald Cyprien Lacroix reported that the Church in Quebec has shown signs of growth over the past two years.

The Salesian Cooperators, a Catholic association dedicated to evangelizing young people, is celebrating its 150th anniversary. The association's 90 Canadian members are using the milestone to plan for the future of their work.

Scholars and acquaintances of St. John Paul II mark the 80th anniversary of his priestly ordination by noting his example of combining deep prayer with the accompaniment of others.

Pope Francis and Pope Leo XIV have publicly supported the social activism and pacifism of Dorothy Day, according to a report by Catholic New York. During a 2015 address to the United States Congress, Pope Francis identified Day, the founder of the Catholic Worker Movement, as a Servant of God.

Day's cause for canonization began under Pope John Paul II. In February 2000, Cardinal John O’Connor wrote to the Vatican and the Congregation for the Causes of Saints to support her cause. O’Connor stated that Day's teachings on social justice anticipated the teachings of Pope John Paul II. Following this appeal, Pope John Paul II granted Day the title Servant of God in March 2000.

St. Patrick’s Cathedral will host two Spanish Marian Masses in November to honor Our Lady of Providence and La Purísima.

The Mass for Our Lady of Providence, the patroness of Puerto Rico, is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 15, at 4 p.m. Auxiliary Bishop Tomas Gonzalez of San Juan, Puerto Rico, will serve as the principal celebrant and homilist. Lay organizer Juan A. Sotomayor, Jr. noted that this year marks 44 years since the first Mass for Our Lady of Providence was celebrated at the cathedral.

Pope Paul VI declared Our Lady of Divine Providence the patroness of Puerto Rico on Nov. 19, 1969. The feast day falls on Nov. 19.

Catholic Extension Society presented Brendan Mulshine the Spirit of Francis Award during its 12th annual New York award dinner. The award recognizes individuals or groups who impact the mission of the Catholic Church in America through philanthropy or service to those on the margins of society.

Mulshine is the co-president of Ryan Specialty and the chief executive officer of RT Specialty. The organization stated his generosity supports the Church and underserved communities.

The dinner benefits Catholic faith communities in underserved regions across the United States. The event also marked the first New York Spirit of Francis Award Dinner for Archbishop Ronald Hicks following his appointment as archbishop of New York. Archbishop Hicks noted he renewed his membership on the board of governors last year to support the mission of the society.

Archbishop Ronald Hicks, the Archdiocese of New York, and the ArchCare health care ministry have joined a lawsuit challenging a New York mandate regarding assisted suicide. The lawsuit, Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm v. James, was brought by four orders of Catholic nuns and other Catholic health care ministries.

The plaintiffs are asking a federal court to protect Catholic health care providers from a law that would require them to assist terminally ill patients in ending their lives. Archbishop Hicks stated that the Church refuses to allow the state to force providers to harm those they are called to care for.

On July 30, New York agreed to a court order that provides temporary protection for the nuns and ministries involved in the case. Archbishop Hicks is now seeking the same legal protections for the Catholic health care providers operating within the Archdiocese of New York. ArchCare includes Mercy Hospital, which provides palliative care for adult patients with life-limiting illnesses, and Mother Cabrini Hospital.

More than 200 people attended the annual Serra Club Dinner to support vocations to the priesthood and religious life. The event took place in the ballroom of the Viscount Gort Hotel and included Evening Prayer, dinner, and fellowship.

Guest speaker Fr. Christopher Pugh spoke about his transition from studying and working in physics to answering the call to the priesthood. The evening included a rendition of the Canadian National Anthem by Bénédicte LeMaître, accompanied by an honor guard from the Knights of Columbus. The program concluded with a raffle and a silent auction supported by various donors.

Cáritas Arquidiocesana de Olinda e Recife will hold its Ordinary General Assembly on November 30, 2026, at the Metropolitan Curia of the Archdiocese of Olinda e Recife in Graças, Recife.

The agenda includes the presentation of member affiliations and disaffiliations, the approval of 2024 and 2025 financial reports, and the presentation of the new acting President. Members will also elect the Diretoria and the Conselho Fiscal and discuss a statutory reform.

The first call is scheduled for 18h, with a second call at 18h30.

The Archdiocese honored six individuals across five categories at the St. John Paul II Champions for Life Award Luncheon held Oct. 29 at St. Peter in Mendota. The awards recognize those who promote and respect life at all stages.

Kimberly Bennecke-Danicich received the award in the Adult Pro-Life Professional category. She serves as the executive director of Southwest Options for Women in Eden Prairie, an organization that assists women facing unplanned pregnancies. Bennecke-Danicich transitioned to this role eight years ago after leaving a position as a chief executive officer for a small business in the Twin Cities.

Bennecke-Danicich, 53, stated that her personal experience with an unplanned pregnancy at age 16 drives her commitment to the mission. She is currently enrolled in the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults and intends to enter the Catholic Church in 2027. She and her husband, Peter, attend Mass at Pax Christi in Eden Prairie.

Bishop Gilvan Pereira Rodrigues presided over the first Jubilee Holy Hour at the Parish of the Lord's Supper and Saint Andrew the Apostle in Salvador on Thursday, October 29. The parish priest, Father Thiago Kern, concelebrated the prayer service.

The Holy Hour is part of a series of prayers held across the Archdiocese of São Salvador da Bahia to prepare for the conclusion of celebrations marking 475 years since the diocese was created and 350 years since it was elevated to an archdiocese. These celebrations began in February.

During the service, Bishop Rodrigues stated that the Holy Hour allows the faithful to contemplate Jesus Christ as the center of the Church's history. He noted that the prayer, meditation on the Word, and silence before the Blessed Sacrament help the community prepare for the upcoming anniversary celebrations. The archdiocesan territory includes the municipalities of Salvador, Lauro de Freitas, Salinas da Margarida, Itaparica, and Vera Cruz.

Father Valentín Bentancour will serve as a master of ceremonies for Pope Leo XIV during a Mass in Paysandú, Uruguay, on November 7.

The Diocese of Gualeguaychú announced that Bentancour, a priest from their diocese, was selected for the liturgical team due to his training in liturgy and his connection to the Diocese of Salto in Uruguay. He will assist in the organization and execution of the Eucharistic celebration during the papal visit.

The Diocese of Erexim has scheduled several liturgical and pastoral events for the week of November 1. On Sunday, November 1, the Solemnity of All Saints, the São Roque parish in Benjamin Constant do Sul will celebrate Crismas at 10h. Additionally, the fourth diocesan meeting of the Terço dos Homens will begin at 09h at the São Tiago parish in Aratiba.

Pastoral Area meetings are scheduled for Wednesday at 19h at the São Pedro parish in Sede Dourado and for Thursday at 19h at the N. Sra. de Fátima parish in Entre Rios do Sul.

Monsignor Agostinho Francisco Dors, the Vicar General, will preside over Crismas services at the São João Batista parish in Marcelino Ramos on Saturday at 19h and at the N. Sra. de Fátima parish in Entre Rios do Sul on Sunday at 10h. Other Crismas services include Friday at 19h at the N. Sra. da Saúde church in Floriano Peixoto, and Saturday at 18h and Sunday at 09h at the Imaculada Conceição parish in Getúlio Vargas. A vocational meeting will take place Saturday at 08h30 in the São José Auditorium.

Bishop Emilio E. Biosca, O.F.M. Cap. celebrated Mass at San Antonio Parish in Port Charlotte to mark the 42nd anniversary of the Diocese of Venice. During the liturgy, Bishop Biosca offered prayers for the deceased former bishops, John J. Nevins and Frank J. Dewane. He also prayed for the priests, religious, deacons, and lay people who have contributed to the diocese since its founding.

The diocese was established on Oct. 25, 1984, from territories previously belonging to the Archdiocese of Miami, the Diocese of Orlando, and the Diocese of St. Petersburg. Bishop Nevins served as the founding bishop, with the Church of the Epiphany serving as the cathedral. Bishop Dewane, the second bishop, died on Oct. 7.

Bishop Roberto Flock of the Diocese of San Ignacio de Velasco called for a recovery of Christian faith and meaning during the commemorations of All Saints and All Souls. In a message released October 30, Flock noted that the commercialization and secularization of these dates have obscured their theological and spiritual significance.

Flock explained that the term Halloween originates from the expression All Hallows’ Eve, meaning the Eve of All Saints. He stated that while he does not oppose secular cultural expressions, the intersection of these celebrations with harvest festivals and market pressures has caused a loss of the Christian background.

The bishop emphasized that believers should focus on the Communion of Saints. He noted the importance of distinguishing festive activities from the evils and abuses against children condemned by the Gospel.

Bishop Emilio E. Biosca, O.F.M. Cap., has restructured the curia of the Diocese of Venice in Florida and established a Bishop’s Advisory Committee (BAC). The committee is intended to assist the bishop with discernment and deliberation on important diocesan matters.

The BAC held its first preliminary meeting on October 20, 2026. Initial members include Vicar General Father David M. Vidal, Episcopal Vicar Father Robert Kantor, and Superintendent of Catholic Education Father John Belmonte, SJ. Sister Carmella DeCosty, SNJM, was appointed to the committee effective October 30, 2026. Sister Carmella has served the diocese for nearly 30 years in roles including Director of Education, Administrator of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat and Spirituality Center, and Director of Religious Education.

The committee met on Friday, October 30, 2026, at the Catholic Center in Venice. Bishop Biosca will appoint additional members to the group, which will continue to meet on a regular basis.

The Diocese of Venice and the St. John Paul II Foundation held the sixth annual Together in Holiness Marriage Conference on Oct. 24, 2026, at Our Lady of Light Parish in Fort Myers. The event drew a record 135 married and engaged couples.

The conference theme, "Family, an image of the Trinity," was based on the writings of St. John Paul II. During the Mass, Vicar General Father David Vidal and various speakers discussed how the love between spouses should imitate the permanent and life-giving love of the Holy Trinity. Father Vidal noted that through God's grace in the Sacrament of Marriage, the love between husband and wife is called to be sacrificial and fruitful for one another, their children, the Church, and the world.

The schedule included three presentations, a Eucharistic Holy Hour, confession, and a special marriage blessing. More than 50 children were enrolled in childcare during the event.

Bishop Emilio E. Biosca, O.F.M. Cap., celebrated the 18th annual Red Mass for legal professionals on Oct. 21, 2026, at St. Martha Parish in Sarasota. The liturgy in the Diocese of Venice serves those working in the legal profession, encouraging them to administer justice with integrity and a commitment to the common good.

During the celebration, Bishop Biosca described the practice of law as a vocation of service rather than just a profession of technical expertise. He noted that the authority held by those in the legal system is a responsibility before God because decisions and judgments affect families and communities. He encouraged attendees to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the inspiration of St. Thomas More to remain faithful to their consciences.

The tradition began in 2008 under Bishop Frank J. Dewane after legal professionals in Sarasota sought to emulate Red Masses held for the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., and for the Florida Legislature in Tallahassee.

St. Francis Preparatory School in Fresh Meadows has established the Dr. Robert Corbino Music Scholarship to honor the music teacher's 50 years of service. Principal Patrick McLaughlin announced that the scholarship will be awarded annually to an incoming freshman studying music.

Corbino began teaching music at the school in September 1976 and has served as the chair of the music department since 1980. The school is currently raising funds to reach a $100,000 goal to ensure the scholarship can be offered in perpetuity. McLaughlin stated that the school has reached approximately 70% of that financial goal.

Students at St. Francis Preparatory School in Fresh Meadows are collecting toiletries to donate to the St. Albans V.A. Medical Center in Queens. The drive provides essential items such as soap, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, socks, and underwear to veterans in need.

The project is led by the 30 members of the Franciscan Youth Movement. To organize the collection, club leaders used flyers, classroom announcements, and Google Classroom to request donations from their classmates. The Campus Ministry Office serves as the drop-off point for the items.

Rihanna Russell, a senior and co-president of the club, said the school community has responded positively to the collection. The drive was organized to honor veterans ahead of Veterans Day.

The Office of Religious Education for the Eparchy of Saint Josaphat in Parma has released readings and resources for catechists covering November 1 through November 14, 2026.

The materials include reflections for the twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost on November 1, featuring readings from Ephesians 2:4-10 and Luke 8:26-39. The office provides commentary from Blessed Theophylact regarding the healing in the Gospel of Luke and a reflection from Saint John Chrysostom on the nature of sin. The twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost falls on November 8, with readings from Ephesians 2:14-22 and Luke 8:41-56.

Notable feast days listed in the update include the Holy Martyrs Onisiphorus and Porphyry and Our Venerable Mother Matrona on November 9. Other dates include the feast of Theodore the Studite on November 11, the Holy Priest-Martyr Josaphat, Archbishop of Polotsk, on November 12, Saint John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople, on November 13, and the Apostle Philip on November 14.

The Congress of the Republic of Peru will present a medal and diploma to the image of the Lord of Miracles in Santiago. Miguel Ángel Velásquez García will deliver the distinction.

The ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, November 1, following the 13:00 Mass at the Parroquia Latinoamericana Nuestra Señora de Pompeya in Providencia. The recognition honors a religious tradition that has gathered the Peruvian community in Chile for 27 years and serves as a point of meeting between Peruvians and Chileans.

Bishop Domingo Buezo Leiva ordained 5 new priests for the Diocese of Sololá-Chimaltenango on Thursday, 29 October.

The ceremony took place at 10h at the municipal stadium of the San Juan Comalapa parish.

Amy Smith reports that the new film adaptation of Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility features exquisite cinematography and a palpable sense of tranquility.

Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ, has launched the second Diocesan Campaign for Mercy to support local nonprofits in the East Bay area. The fundraising drive, which began in 2025, directs donations toward organizations that perform corporal works of mercy and address the root causes of poverty.

The campaign is managed by the Diocese of Oakland's Office of Mission Advancement. Through this office, participating organizations may apply for grants to sustain their service to those in need. Chancellor Rick Medeiros stated that the campaign encourages collaboration and allows donors to support local Catholic lay and religious apostolates. Medeiros noted that the diocese saw a positive response to the first campaign held last year.

Seminario Metropolitano San Buenaventura will host a vocational discernment day for young men on Sunday, November 1.

The event is open to men from 16 years of age. It is scheduled to take place from 9:30 to 14:00 at the seminary, located at Zuviría 867, Salta.

Brian Gibson, the executive director of Pro-Life Action Ministries, discussed his work with the pro-life movement during an episode of the program Practicing Catholic on Relevant Radio. Gibson, who has worked full-time for the ministry for 40 years, spoke with hosts Leah Heselton and Father Tom Margevicius about the intensity of his role.

Gibson noted that the work involves political, legislative, and pregnancy resource center efforts, as well as post-abortion counseling. He attributed his ability to remain focused on his vocation to the prayers of others. Despite facing opposition and witnessing harm, Gibson stated that the ministry continues its work because lives are being saved.

The episode, produced by Relevant Radio and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, also features an interview with Archbishop Bernard Heba regarding the influence of Saint John Henry Newman on his work. The program aired at 9 p.m. on October 30, with repeat broadcasts scheduled for 1 p.m. on October 31 and 2 p.m. on November 1.

Faith leaders across the United States will serve as poll chaplains to act as peacekeepers during the upcoming midterm elections.

Missionaries, religious, and leaders are meeting in Brasilia for the III National Seminar of Popular Missions until Sunday. The event includes formation and celebration centered on four themes: memory, identity, and enchantment; synodal Church and missiology; contemporary challenges; and methodology and continuity.

The Benedictine Sisters of St. Paul’s Monastery in Maplewood, Minnesota, have entered into a covenant called Mutual Blessings to entrust the Hill-Murray School with the stewardship of the monastery's property and financial resources. The agreement was formally announced on Oct. 20 following approval from the Vatican.

Sister Catherine Nehotte, the prioress of St. Paul’s Monastery, said the sisters considered several options for their future, including transitioning to hospice or elderly care. The community currently has 15 members and an increasing median age. Sister Catherine stated the sisters chose to partner with the school to ensure their values continue through the youth.

Bishop David P. Talley appointed Father Casey Weber as chancellor for the Catholic Diocese of Memphis. The appointment became effective on Monday, October 26.

Father Weber will continue his current role as adjutant judicial vicar and will remain in residence at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.

Father James Clark continues to serve as judicial vicar, where he leads the diocesan tribunal, and as pastor of Holy Rosary Catholic Parish.

Deacon Jerry Durchholz said a Cursillo weekend changed the trajectory of his life. He is one of 16 men ordained to the permanent diaconate on Aug. 8 at St. Benedict Cathedral in Evansville.

Durchholz is assigned to Good Shepherd Parish in Evansville. He stated he had not considered becoming a deacon until he was asked twice in 2022, shortly before the 2026 permanent diaconate class began. On one occasion, Deacon Bill Blanke, who was also ordained in 2026 and assigned to Good Shepherd Parish, asked him about the vocation. His wife, Jeannine, also asked why he wanted to serve. Durchholz said he decided to enter the program because he believed Jesus would make his intentions clear.

Diocesan seminarians wrote a series of articles centered on the theme of encouraging discernment. The collection features reflections from seminarians regarding non-ordained individuals within the diocese who prompted them to consider the priesthood.

In one article, Jeffrey Helfrich, a seminarian from Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, describes how a family member influenced his path. Helfrich recalls his uncle, Brian, asking him if he had ever considered becoming a priest during a Thanksgiving meal. While the question initially caused irritation, Helfrich noted that the inquiry prompted him to reflect on previous thoughts regarding a vocation.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is hosting the exhibition Krasner and Pollock: Past Continuous, which examines the Abstract Expressionist era through the works of Lee Krasner and Jackson Pollock.

The Newman Center at Towson University provides a community for students to pray, study, and share meals in a white farmhouse located across from the campus. Known by students as the “White House on the Hill,” the building serves as a center for Bible studies, Mass, and quiet reflection.

A team of campus ministers, FOCUS missionaries, staff, and volunteers supports the ministry. These individuals accompany students through their college years to help them grow in faith and service. The Archdiocese of Baltimore notes that the center aims to provide a sense of community for young adults during their time at the university.

The Diocese of Viana is holding its 2026 Diocesan Pastoral Assembly from October 30 to November 1 at the Sítio dos Padres in Santa Inês.

The assembly uses the theme "The paths of mission: Church, synodal tent" to facilitate pastoral discernment, missionary work, and evangelization.

A traveling memorial consisting of more than 100 white wooden crosses has launched in Illinois to honor people who died in immigration detention or during enforcement operations since 2020. Each three-foot by two-foot cross bears the name of a deceased individual.

Father Brendan Curran, a Dominican priest, helped establish a memorial in Franklin Park for Silverio Villegas González. Villegas González, a father of two, was shot and killed during an Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation on Sept. 12, 2025. His family filed a legal claim against the government on Oct. 8, 2026, alleging that employee misconduct caused his death.

The National Immigration Project reported that at least 28 people died in ICE custody in 2026 as of Oct. 5. In 2025, 33 people died in custody, which the organization identified as the highest number of deaths in two decades.

Catholic Charities Diocese of Evansville introduced a new logo, a redesigned website, and new Facebook and Instagram pages during an open house on Oct. 22.

Executive Director Denise Seibert Townsend stated the organization updated its branding to increase awareness and strengthen its Catholic identity. She said the new logo is intended to represent connection, compassion, and commitment to those the agency serves.

The redesigned website was created to help individuals and families locate assistance, learn about available programs, and contact the agency. Seibert Townsend noted that while the visual identity and online presence have changed, the mission of the organization remains the same.

Bishop Robert Brennan celebrated the annual Mass of Hope and Healing for survivors of clergy sexual abuse at Mary’s Nativity Church in Flushing on Oct. 29. Hundreds of people attended the liturgy, which the diocese has held every year since 2015, with the exception of 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic.

Survivor Gene Doyle of Howard Beach and retired priest-in-residence Father Jeffrey Dillon attended the Mass. Father Dillon, who is also a survivor, said the annual liturgy allows people to recognize a community of faith that supports them.

Bishop Brennan said he is encouraged by the number of clergy and lay faithful who attend. He stated that the diocese works to provide safe environments and act as instruments of healing. The bishop noted that Church leaders, clergy, and the people are all flawed and limited.

Bishop Christian Rodembourg will preside over the All Saints' Day Mass at the Cathedral of Saint-Hyacinthe on Sunday, November 1, at 17 h.

The bishop will also preside over a Eucharistic celebration for all the faithful departed on Monday, November 2, at 16 h.

The Diocese of Saint-Hyacinthe noted that these celebrations honor both the saints listed in the calendar and the many unnamed people who lived the Gospel in daily life. This includes the concept of the holiness of ordinary people described by Pope Francis in his apostolic exhortation, Gaudete et exsultate.

The Sacred Heart Enthronement Network will host the 15th annual Sacred Heart Congress on Saturday, Nov. 7. The event will take place at St. Paul the Apostle parish in Westerville from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

The congress features talks by Bishop Donald Hying of Madison, Wisconsin, and Annie Mitchell of the EWTN Son Rise Morning Show. Bishop Earl Fernandes will celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. For families with elementary-age children, the Daughters of Holy Mary of the Heart of Jesus will host a youth program.

Father Jonathon Wilson, pastor of St. Paul the Apostle, described the half-day event as a time for spiritual renewal.

Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller of San Antonio released a weekly message on October 30, 2026, describing the relationship between loving God and serving others as a rhythmic movement of breathing.

The Archbishop compared loving God to inhaling and treating others with love to exhaling. He stated that faith involves receiving life from God before sharing it with others. He noted that the Holy Spirit acts as God's breath within the Church and that the Eucharist provides the life of Jesus through His Body and Blood.

García-Siller encouraged the faithful to practice kindness through phone calls, words of encouragement, or gestures of mercy toward those struggling. He concluded by asking for the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Canada will welcome a new metropolitan on Nov. 8. The Church expressed gratitude to Archbishop Huculak for his leadership marked by a commitment to communion, consultation, and pastoral continuity.

The romantic fantasy film Wicker, directed by Alex Huston Fischer and Eleanor Wilson, adapts Ursula Wills’ 2008 short story The Wicker Husband. According to a review by Kurt Jensen for the Catholic Review, the film serves as a fable regarding loneliness and the fulfillment found in human companionship.

Set in an imaginary village where residents are identified by their occupations, the story follows a Fisherwoman, played by Olivia Colman, who seeks to avoid the humiliation of local wedding rituals. She commissions a Basket Weaver, played by Peter Dinklage, to construct a husband for her as a joke. The Basket Weaver succeeds in creating a living, empathetic man, played by Alexander Skarsgard, who proves to be moral and attentive to the Fisherwoman's needs.

The film Fjord follows a devout Christian Romanian family living in Norway as they face an investigation for child abuse.

Terrance Klein writes that most people will not write their own obituaries or determine the final version of their life stories.

America magazine has called for prayers this November for migrants who have died due to immigration policy and enforcement.

The request includes those who died in detention centers, on the streets, or while driving. The publication noted a recent incident involving Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, a Venezuelan man shot by an ICE officer, during a news conference held in Austin, Texas, on Sept. 21, 2026.

The Catholic Register reports that papal modes of transport have evolved from ornate wooden carriages pulled by horses to modern bulletproof all-electric vehicles.

French mountaineer Patrick Gabarrou dedicated a multi-pitch climbing route on the south face of the Matterhorn to Saint Padre Pio. Gabarrou named the route Padre Pio’s Stairway to Heaven.

Kevin Christopher Robles published a reflection for the commemoration of All Souls on October 30, 2026.

Organizers of the 40 Days for Life campaign in Toronto stated that their work to protect unborn life and support expectant mothers continues after the annual vigil concludes on Nov. 1.

The Catholic Star Herald named several student-athletes from diocesan schools as Athletes of the Month for October 2026.

Mike Coluzzi, a senior soccer player at Saint Augustine Preparatory School in Richland, became the ninth player in school history to score 50 career goals. As of October 28, Coluzzi had recorded 54 career goals, including 20 this season. He contributed two goals during a 2-1 victory against St. Peter’s Prep on October 3. The Saint Augustine Prep team held an 18-2 record through October 28.

Ava Griffin, a senior goaltender for the Bishop Eustace Preparatory School girls soccer team in Pennsauken, surpassed 100 saves this season during October. Griffin recorded six saves in a tie against Lenape and made five saves each in games against Notre Dame and Camden Catholic. She recorded 10 saves in a match against Paul VI on October 19 and is approaching 250 career saves.

Deacon Scott Zarling is scheduled to be ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee on May 22, 2027.

Zarling, who currently works in information technology, began his seminary studies in January 2021. His transition to the priesthood required him to leave his career at Fiserv and sell his home in Pewaukee. He expects to be 42 years old at the time of his ordination.

A parishioner at St. Peter Parish in Slinger suggested Zarling might become a priest when he was a teenager. He later reconsidered his vocation during the pandemic. Zarling previously served his parish as a lector, choir member, and member of the Knights of Columbus.

Church historian Massimo Faggioli discussed the tactics and efforts Pope Leo XIV is using to promote unity and peace during an interview with Colleen Dulle for the America podcast.

The Vatican communications dicastery combines several different organizations, including the press office, newspaper, radio stations, book publishing, and the film archive.

The National Catholic Register interviewed 35 priests to ask if they have ever been requested to visit purportedly haunted houses.

The Holy Mountain Retreat Center has offered free weekly music therapy sessions for people living with dementia and their caregivers since September 2. The sessions take place every Wednesday morning at 10:30 at the retreat center, located on the Graymoor property of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement in Garrison.

The program consists of one hour of sing-alongs involving rhythm, movement, and instruments such as the piano, guitar, accordion, and percussion. A music therapy specialist from the Institute for Music and Neurological Function in Croton-on-Hudson leads the sessions.

Kacey Morabito-Grean, the executive director of the Holy Mountain Retreat Center, said the program provides a supportive environment for participants and their care partners to connect. Morabito-Grean noted that offering these sessions for free aligns with the mission of the friars to reach out to the community.

Angelo Jesus Canta argues in America that replacing human creativity with artificial intelligence results in a loss of essential value, even if the technology serves the budgets of parishes or publications.

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion will celebrate a special Mass for the forgotten dead on November 2 at the Cemitério Municipal Zona Sul in Curitiba. The celebration is scheduled for 12h at Rua Carolina Dybas, 130.

Father Lucas will preside over the Mass with Deacon Walter. The organizers intend to pray for those who passed away without family or friends to maintain their memory.

The initiative is organized by the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion as an expression of Christian charity and the communion of saints. Father Lucas stated that praying for those who have no one to visit or remember them witnesses the love of God.

Sister Julia Lydon, a member of the Congregation of Notre Dame, died on Oct. 20, 2026, at the age of 88. She passed away at Mozaic Senior Life in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

During her 58 years of service, Sister Julia taught elementary and high school students in Connecticut, New York, Illinois, and Virginia. She taught at St. Jude the Apostle and Seton Academy in South Holland, served as the director of religious education at St. Patrick’s Parish in Kankakee, and performed social work in Appalachia and pastoral work in Staten Island.

Born in New York City to William and Julia Lydon, she attended St. Monica Parish School and graduated from St. Jean Baptiste High School in 1956. She professed her first vows with the Congregation of Notre Dame on Aug. 23, 1958. Sister Julia earned a bachelor’s degree in English from DePaul University, a master’s degree in English education from Southern Connecticut State University, and a master’s degree in theology from Marquette University.