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Jim Bittner

Why I am Catholic — Jim Bittner

For most of my life, I have been more of a cultural Catholic than a practicing Catholic.
Nation + World
Brazilian Sister Marizele Isabel Cassiano Rego is seen in an undated photograph. Two Brazilian nuns have gone viral worldwide after a May 28, 2025, video showed them beatboxing and dancing hip hop on Catholic TV -- drawing comparisons to a real-life "Sister Act." (nuns beatboxing)

Video of Brazilian nuns beatboxing goes viral, boosts interest in their ministry

A video of Brazilian nuns beatboxing and dancing hip-hop, a scene taken from a local TV show and defined by celebrities like Whoopi Goldberg as "a real life 'Sister Act,'" went viral on May 28, with millions of views all over the world.
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Brazilian Sister Marizele Isabel Cassiano Rego is seen in an undated photograph. Two Brazilian nuns have gone viral worldwide after a May 28, 2025, video showed them beatboxing and dancing hip hop on Catholic TV -- drawing comparisons to a real-life "Sister Act." (nuns beatboxing)

Video of Brazilian nuns beatboxing goes viral, boosts interest in their ministry

A video of Brazilian nuns beatboxing and dancing hip-hop, a scene taken from a local TV show and defined by celebrities like Whoopi Goldberg as "a real life 'Sister Act,'" went viral on May 28, with millions of views all over the world.
A family presents the offertory gifts to Pope Leo XIV during Mass marking the Jubilee of Families, Children, Grandparents and the Elderly in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican June 1, 2025.

Reach out to families; let them know God loves them, pope says

The Catholic Church, its ministers and its members must find new ways to reach out to and welcome families who are distant from the Church and have no understanding of how much God loves them, Pope Leo XIV said.
Pope Leo XIV meets with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio in the library of the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican May 19, 2025.

As first US-born pontiff, Pope Leo may be ‘more attuned’ to polarization issue, analysts say

Pope Leo XIV, as the first U.S.-born pope, may bring unique insight to the problem of polarization in the U.S. and in the U.S. church, analysts told OSV News.
New York Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan joins the assembly in reciting the Nicene Creed during an ecumenical prayer service for peace in the world in honor of Mary, Mother of God, at Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Cathedral in the Brooklyn Heights section of Brooklyn, N.Y., May 20, 2025. In a May 29 Wall Street Journal commentary, Cardinal Dolan said he is "stunned" that New York lawmakers "are on the verge of legalizing suicide," and he said he prays the governor "will step up to protect precious human life."

Dolan: NY lawmakers ‘may conclude that some lives aren’t worth living’

Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York urged Empire State lawmakers to reject legislation that would legalize physician-assisted suicide.
Robin's nest with eggs

The gift of taking our time

As I write this, I am keeping company with a mama robin on our backyard balcony, so I’m treading lightly. Tapping, not pounding, the keyboard. Sliding, not slamming, the door. Basking in the breeze.
Jim Bittner

Why I am Catholic — Jim Bittner

For most of my life, I have been more of a cultural Catholic than a practicing Catholic.
From left, Deacons Randy Skeate, Zachary Ochsenbauer, Alexander Marquette, Benjamin Eichten and Stephen Boatwright listen to Archbishop Hebda during the homily just before their ordination to the priesthood May 31 at the Cathedral of St. Paul in St. Paul.  DAVE HRBACEK  |  THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

‘Extreme joy:’ 5 men ordained to the priesthood in archdiocese

Newly ordained, bestowing his first priestly blessings, Father Randy Skeate smiled with quiet gratitude when asked how he felt May 31 at the Cathedral of St. Paul in St. Paul. “Extreme joy,” he said. “Fulfillment and a lot of peace.”
Young Palestinians displaced by the Israeli military offensive react May 21, 2025, while waiting to receive food cooked by a charity kitchen in Gaza City, Gaza Strip.

Situation in Gaza reaches ‘catastrophic levels,’ warns Catholic humanitarian organization

Food insecurity in the Gaza Strip "has reached catastrophic levels," a Catholic humanitarian organization has warned.
Venezuelan migrants arrive on a deportation flight from the U.S. at Simon Bolivar International airport in Maiquetia, Venezuela, Feb. 10, 2025. The U.S. Supreme Court on May 30, allowed the Trump administration to end deportation protections for more than 500,000 immigrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela.

Supreme Court allows Trump to end deportation protections for 500,000 CHNV migrants

The U.S. Supreme Court on May 30 allowed the Trump administration to end deportation protections for more than 500,000 immigrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela -- typically Catholic-majority countries -- while an appeal of the president's order is still pending.
KatieSteiner2

WCCO meteorologist says getting to heaven is not a competition

For a long time, WCCO meteorologist Katie Steiner said she lived life without her identity rooted in Christ. Striving to live a holy life is difficult in today’s culture, she said, because it is easy to go astray. In an episode of the “Practicing Catholic” radio show set to air at 9 p.m. May 30 on Relevant Radio 1330 AM, Steiner told the show’s producer, Rachael McCallum, “I don’t know if the majority of people that we live with, their number one goal is heaven. It’s easy to lose sight of that. It’s just a daily focus of, ‘Where are my priorities? Where do I get my satisfaction?’ … You need to figure out where you want to be and who you want to serve.”
Robert F. Prevost, the future Pope Leo XIV, during his senior year at Villanova University in Villanova, Pa., is pictured in this undated photo.

Future pope helped found Villanovans for Life, marched against Roe v. Wade

The four years Robert F. Prevost spent at Villanova University in Philadelphia -- from the fall of 1973 until May 1977, when he graduated with a degree in mathematics and began his novitiate with the Augustinian order -- included the opening salvos of the pro-life movement.
Faith
Pilgrims from the Diocese of Pittsburgh, the Diocese of San Bernardino, Calif., and St. Agnes School in St. Paul, Minn., receive Communion and pray during a Jubilee Mass at the Altar of the Chair in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican March 17, 2025.

Five ways to prepare for Mass

Most events in life require preparation. When you go on a trip, you get to the airport early so you can get through security. When you go to a concert or sporting event, you arrive early to find your seat. When you host a party, you make sure you have all the right food and supplies.

Peace be with you!

Commentary
Robin's nest with eggs

The gift of taking our time

As I write this, I am keeping company with a mama robin on our backyard balcony, so I’m treading lightly. Tapping, not pounding, the keyboard. Sliding, not slamming, the door. Basking in the breeze.

Month of May is month of Mary

Why I am Catholic
Practicing Catholic

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