Nontraditional Easter for worshipers as Archdiocese goes virtual for Sunday Mass

MILWAUKEE -- This Easter Sunday was one many worshipers will never forget."It's a very unusual feeling," Auxiliary Bishop Jeff Haines said.Due to COVID-19 -- it was many local churches' first virtual holiday.

Pope hails priests, health workers as 'the saints next door'

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis on Holy Thursday hailed priests and medical staff who tend to the needs of COVID-19 patients as “the saints next door.”Francis celebrated the Holy Week evening Mass in St.

Archdiocese of Milwaukee invites faithful, churches to ring bells on Easter Sunday at noon

MILWAUKEE -- All parishes and Catholic faithful within the Archdiocese of Milwaukee are invited to take part in proclaiming the joy of the Resurrection by ringing bells this Easter Sunday at noon.An announcement was sent out to all Catholic parishes as well as to Christian denominations.

Palm Sunday: Pope celebrates without public in St. Peter's Square

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis is celebrating Palm Sunday Mass without the public, since the traditional ceremony in St.

Cardinal close to Pope Francis tests positive for coronavirus

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis’ vicar for Rome has tested positive for the coronavirus in the first case of a cardinal close to the pope known to be infected.Cardinal Angelo De Donatis had been in touch with Francis in recent weeks — apparently not in person, however — over the cardinal’s initial decision to close all Rome churches in line with an Italian government shutdown decree.De Donatis reversed himself after Francis intervened, and allowed diocesan churches to remain open for individuals to pray.The pope is technically bishop of Rome, but he delegates the day-to-day running of the diocese to his vicar, De Donatis, 66.

Public celebrations for Holy Week, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter are canceled

MILWAUKEE -- The Archdiocese of Milwaukee has canceled all public celebrations for Holy Week, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter -- in all parishes.Archbishop Jerome Listecki issued the following statement on the Archdiocese website:

FOX6 to present Catholic Mass on-air twice on Sundays beginning March 22

MILWAUKEE -- Many churches in southeast Wisconsin have stopped Sunday services -- and that includes all of the Milwaukee Archdiocese.Beginning this Sunday, March 22, FOX6 will air Catholic Mass twice on Sundays.

Milwaukee Archdiocese suspends all public celebration of Masses beginning Wednesday, March 18

MILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome Listecki announced on Monday, March 16 that effective on Wednesday, March 18, all public celebration of Masses will be suspended throughout the Archdiocese.

Archbishop Listecki talks about dispensation from Sunday Mass obligation: 'Be reasonable'

MILWAUKEE -- Archbishop Jerome Listecki is asking worshippers on Friday, March 13 to hold onto their faith in these times of uncertainty.This week, the decision was made for Catholics not to feel obligated to attend Sunday Mass until March 29.There are also new guidelines to avoid the potential spread of coronavirus during Mass.

Archbishop Listecki: Catholics are free of obligation to attend Sunday Mass for a couple weeks

MILWAUKEE -- The Archdiocese of Milwaukee announced on Thursday, March 12 that Archbishop Jerome Listecki has dispensed Catholics from their obligation to attend Sunday Mass due to concerns about the spread of COVID-19, the coronavirus.A news release says the dispensation will cover the next two weeks, including Masses for Sundays March 15, 22, and 29.

'Catholics for Trump' event set for March 19 in Milwaukee postponed due to coronavirus

MILWAUKEE -- President Donald Trump's scheduled "Catholics for Trump" event scheduled for March 19 at the Wisconsin Center in downtown Milwaukee was postponed Wednesday, March 11 due to coronavirus.Catholics have been on the winning side of presidential elections since 1976.

Coughing Pope Francis won't attend Lenten retreat; 34 coronavirus deaths in Italy

VATICAN CITY — A coughing Pope Francis told pilgrims gathered for the traditional Sunday blessing March 1 that he canceled his participation at a week-long spiritual retreat in the Roman countryside because of a cold.

Pope Francis equates violence against women to profaning God

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis is pinning much of his hopes for a more peaceful world in the new year on women, saying violence against them is akin to profaning God and calling for them to be increasingly involved in making major decisions.In his homily Wednesday in St.

Pope Francis: Sorry I lost patience with hand-shaker who yanked me

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis has apologized for hitting the hand of a well-wisher who grabbed him and yanked him toward her.In his new year's wishes to the public in St.