Heidi Schlumpf

Many say Pope Francis' new exhortation Gaudete et Exsultate ("Rejoice and Be Glad"), is practical, accessible and applicable to the challenges in today's U.S. church and society. 

Morning Briefing: Catholic universities and union organizing, news from Willow Creek and “Red Letter” Christians

Francis at Five Years: Although Pope Francis remains popular, controversy about his pontificate is real, especially among inner-circle Catholics deeply invested in the church, said speakers at the April 3 event, sponsored by Notre Dame's Center for Social Concerns.

Morning Briefing: A somber anniversary, labor justice issues and women in the church

Franciscan Volunteer Ministry offers a repayment program that provides up to $400 a month toward volunteers' student loans during their year of service, clearing a hurdle for many young volunteers.

Too often these questions are not debated in a reasoned discussion, but in culture war attacks aimed more at winning the argument than finding a solution that respects both sides, speakers said at a Loyola University conference.

A group of Christendom College alumni — including as many as 19 who allege they were raped, sexually assaulted or harassed there over the past two decades — are calling for the school, which sees itself as a bulwark against an aggressive secular society, to voluntarily submit to Title IX rules.

Part 3 of 3: A new pilot program is sending FOCUS missionaries to implement "Win, build, send" in parishes, similar to the organization's current model on college campuses.

Morning Briefing: FOCUS' financials, a Vatican resignation and NCR's review of Douthat's new book

Part 2 of 3: FOCUS' financial model of ministry sponsorship has helped it achieve extraordinary financial success and facilitated massive growth in its 20-year history

Part 1 of 3: FOCUS has seen success in reaching students, but is also criticized for a narrow interpretation of Catholicism, a lack of diversity, and insufficient pastoral training.

Morning Briefing (politics edition): The student walkout and other anti-gun activism, and a pro-life Democrat wins (maybe).

South Bend, Indiana -- Presenters at the "Cultures of Formation" conference called for the church to be countercultural in response to contemporary attitudes toward technology, sexuality and what one speaker called the "uncritical valorization of diversity."

Morning Briefing: St. Romero, the pope's popularity and a pre-synod gathering on youth and young adults

The voices of student survivors of the recent school shooting in Parkland, Florida, "are a wake-up call that should have been heard years ago," Chicago archbishop says at Illinois state capital as he calls for action on gun legislation 

Morning Briefing: College of Cardinals on clergy sexual abuse, Cardinal Cupich on gun violence and Catholic protesters on Dreamers—and four female columnists!

Morning Briefing: Billy Graham dies; the church helps hungry Venezuelans; defending the Pope Francis’ China policy; and a lesbian couple sues the bishops

Morning Briefing: Ash Wednesday/Valentine's Day/Winter Olympics edition. Without a dispensation from fasting, Catholics will have to move their romantic dinner plans to another day. 

This year's speakers addressed immigration, race and the environment. Attendees met with legislators on Capital Hill to discuss immigration, domestic social safety net programs and international development aid. 

Morning Briefing: Immigration, resistance and race