Catholic parishes Archives

Costa Rica priest sings public health message amid pandemic

May 4, 2021

A Catholic priest better known for his outreach to the poor is winning new fans with his catchy public health-focused lyrics set to a popular 1990s salsa tune as Costa Rica experiences its worst moment of the COVID-19 pandemic.

By Javier Cordoba

In-person Mass feels more ‘grace-filled,’ says Oregon parishioner

May 2, 2021

During each Mass at St. Anthony, in a suburb outside of Portland and one of the largest parishes in the state, the parish clergy thoroughly explain safety procedures and the safest technique for receiving Communion.

By Ed Langlois

Minnesota priests describe pandemic year, hopes for future

Apr 11, 2021

A year ago last March, Archbishop Bernard A. Hebda of St. Paul and Minneapolis sent an email to pastors letting them know he was closing churches for public Masses due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

By Dave Hrbacek

Catholic parishes roll up their sleeves as COVID-19 vaccine clinics

Mar 13, 2021

One year ago, many Catholic parishes were starting to close their doors, temporarily, at the start of the pandemic.

Now, some of them are opening their parking lots or church halls as venues for people in their local communities to receive COVID-19 vaccinations.

By Carol Zimmermann

A year into lockdown, Church in Netherlands fears permanent decline

Mar 13, 2021

One year after the first ecclesial lockdown came into effect in the Netherlands, “ordinary parish life is partly falling away” and the crisis is accelerating the already existing problem of secularization.

By Francesco Paloni - Katholiek Nieuwsblad

Parish outreach helps seniors secure vaccines; no one is turned away

Mar 4, 2021

The Madeleine parish in Northeast Portland, has a vaccine outreach for seniors. It’s focused on helping parishioners schedule their vaccinations and no one is turned away.

By Katie Scott

Michigan parishioners build ‘chapel of divine chill’ for icy special Mass

Feb 24, 2021

Over 300 parishioners and students gathered around an altar sculpted from ice and snow for a unique Mass at Divine Child Elementary School in Dearborn.

By Daniel Meloy

Poorer parishes, dioceses take a bigger hit from pandemic

Feb 23, 2021

Just as it was in much of American society this past year, the financial toll exacted by the coronavirus pandemic affected poor parishes and dioceses more starkly than it did larger and more well-to-do Catholic institutions.

By Mark Pattison