Fr Jacques Hamel was murdered by extremist Islamic militants two years ago to this day in his parish in northern France while celebrating Holy Mass.

Pope Francis has held up his testimony of faith also as a reminder of all the other Christian martyrs whose blood is shed across today’s world.

It was during Mass in the Casa Santa Marta, celebrated together with the Bishop of Rouen and father Jacques Hamel’s family, that Pope Francis described the slain French parish priest as “a gentle, good man, who fostered brotherhood”…

Għal darb’oħra din is-sena, numru ta’ leaders fiż-ŻAK reġgħu ħadu ħsieb jorganizzaw il-Kamp Sajf. Il-preparazzjonijiet għall-Kamp Sajf ilhom li bdew. Sar ukoll weekend ta’ preparazzjoni ġewwa ż-ŻAK House Birkirkara bejn is-6 u t-8 ta’ Lulju. Matul dan il-weekend, madwar 50 leader kienu preżenti sabiex din l-attività daqshekk kbira tkun ta’ suċċess u li sservi ta’ ġid għal kull min jipparteċipa…

The United Nations Mideast envoy has warned that  Israel and Hamas were “minutes away” from another “devastating confrontation” in Gaza on Saturday.

He revealed on Tuesday that the clash was averted after U.N. and Egyptian diplomatic efforts got both sides to “step back from the brink.”

Sounding the alarm, Nikolay Mladenov said that crucial work is required to change the current deteriorating dynamics that, he noted, could lead to the fourth war in a decade between Hamas and Israel…

Pope Francis on Tuesday expressed his sadness for the many deaths caused by raging wildfires in areas close to the Greek capital, Athens.

In a telegramme addressed to ecclesiastical and civil authorities by Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin on his behalf, the Pope said he extends his heartfelt solidarity to all those affected by this tragedy, commends the deceased to the merciful love of Almighty God, and offers encouragement to the civil authorities and emergency personnel as they continue in their rescue efforts.  

At least 60 people have perished in the fires in the Attica region around Athens…

Dear exhausted, discouraged parents,

So your kids are just terrible in Mass. Chaotic, disobedient, and disruptive, week after week. It’s like a big old spotlight is shining on you the whole time, you and your apparently sub-par parenting.

I’m right there with you. I’ve started to dread Sundays. I mean, we’ve tried everything. Going to the early Mass, going to the evening Mass, Mass books, whispered explanations, whispered threats, sitting in the front, sitting in the back, marching straight to the cry room … and maybe a few of the tricks have helped, but the bottom line is that we’re not getting out of that building without somebody screaming, making a mad dash for the altar, or God knows what…