Pittsburgh Catholic

WASHINGTON -- Traditional marriage between one man and one woman is really about the good of children and families, and the "good of families" is about "the good of society," said the chairman of the U.S. bishops' Subcommittee for the Promotion and Defense of Marriage.

"That's in the natural order, that's the way marriage exists in nature, that's why marriage is important for the social good," said Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco.

"Nature promotes a child having a father and a mother.

Father Joseph Freedy told the 2,500 men gathered before him that sin enslaves us. Sin is rooted in fear.

Each day, they wake up fearful. They have feelings of being inadequate, not successful, not wealthy, not a good husband or father. They grasp for control and become angry and resentful when they cannot find it.

In turn, they often grasp for a fantasy life, he said. One that involves destructive forces such as Internet pornography and lust.

"Do you know that you're loved?" he said. "Do you know that you're wanted? Can you stop hating yourself?

ROME -- Celebrating his first Mass in the cathedral of Rome, Pope Francis called on Christians to trust in God's endless patience and mercy.

"God always waits for us, even when we have left him behind! He is never far from us, and if we return to him, he is ready to embrace us," the pope said in his homily April 7 at the Basilica of St. John Lateran.

The pope commented on the Gospel reading (John 20:19-31) for Divine Mercy Sunday, in which the risen Christ appears to St.

Much has changed in health care over the past half-century, from rising costs to incredible advancements in technology and treatments.

Father Thomas M. Nee, a priest of the diocese for 74 years, died April 5 at age 101.

Bishop David Zubik officiated at the funeral Mass April 8 at St. Wendelin Church in Pittsburgh's Carrick neighborhood.

A native of Pittsburgh's South Side, he attended Holy Cross School, St. Wendelin High School, Duquesne University and St. Vincent Seminary in Latrobe. He was ordained June 3, 1939, at St. Vincent Archabbey, with Bishop Hugh Boyle officiating.

Father Nee served in numerous parishes over the years. He was parochial vicar at St.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- With Jesus' resurrection "love has triumphed, mercy has been victorious," Pope Francis said in his first Easter message "urbi et orbi" (to the city and the world).

"Let us become agents of this mercy, channels through which God can water the earth, protect all creation and make justice and peace flourish," the pope said after celebrating Easter morning Mass March 31.

Pope Francis offered special prayers for peace in Syria and the rest of the Middle East, for an end to violence in Africa -- especially in Mali, Nigeria, Congo and the Central Af

The first Music for the Spirit Festival, featuring the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, is set for April 20-28, with a series of concerts, recitals, discussions and other events throughout Pittsburgh.

The festival will open with Singing City, a large-scale concert event presented by Trib Total Media, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 20, at the Petersen Events Center at the University of Pittsburgh.

Cardinal Donald Wuerl of Washington will offer the inaugural Music for the Spirit Festival address during Singing City.

Book Review

"No Faith, No Miracles: What Jesus Asks of You," by Dr. Arlene McGannon. Liguori Publications (800-325-9521, www.liguori.org), 2012. 128 pages. $12.99.

In her book "No Faith, No Miracles: What Jesus Asks of You," Dr. Arlene McGannon, former chancellor and associate general secretary for the Diocese of Pittsburgh, begins by using the story of someone stranded on a rooftop during a flood, praying for God's assistance.

Though in a dire situation, the person refuses any human intervention.

A total of 65 Chinese students are studying at four area Catholic high schools through a new program launched by Holy Family Institute in Emsworth.

The agency began its Holy Family International College Preparatory Program in fall 2011, welcoming 38 students. Last fall that number almost doubled, with 31 returning students joined by 34 new ones.

They study at North Catholic, Bishop Canevin, where 21 are enrolled, Vincentian Academy and Quigley high schools, and this coming fall St.

Bishop David Zubik told students at Carlow University that young people are one of the greatest "gold mines" of the church, but they are often not invited to become leaders. It is one of the reasons he feels it is important to conduct town hall meetings so they can see him in person and discuss issues of the day.

He met with some 30 Carlow students March 20 in the second of a series of meetings involving the three Catholic colleges and universities of the diocese.