The Northern Cross

Deacon Kyle Eller: Serenity Prayer offers needed wisdom in how we spend our energies

Posted by Elizabeth Gjovik

One of the first prayers I remember encountering outside of going to church or praying before bedtime was the short version of the Serenity Prayer. Attributed to the Protestant theologian Reinhold Niebuhr, it came into widespread use through Alcoholics Anonymous, especially the first few lines. The version I learned ... Read More »

Father Nicholas Nelson: Virginity, the more excellent state

Posted by Elizabeth Gjovik

The other week while I was on retreat, I came across a collection of letters written either to St. Therese of Lisieux or by her. One in particular really struck me. It was written by Therese when she was already at Carmel to her sister, Celine, who was discerning what ... Read More »

Betsy Kneepkens: Learning from a second Dad how to live without bitterness

Posted by Elizabeth Gjovik

Adversary balloons are flying in space, and a horrific war is happening. Violence using weapons has dramatically increased since COVID began. People without appropriate shelter plague every large city in this country. The rate of loneliness has been the highest since recording began, and the number of suicides has ... Read More »

Father Richard Kunst: When doubt creeps in

Posted by Elizabeth Gjovik

Perhaps this might sound like I am stating the obvious, but I feel like I have a pretty strong faith. Faith is a gift, so I certainly do not take it for granted, and yet in saying I have a strong faith I also have to admit that from ... Read More »

New bishop of St. Cloud, Minn., to build his ministry on mercy, hope, justice

Posted by Elizabeth Gjovik

By Kristi Anderson OSV News 

From Portland, Oregon, to Peru and many places in between, hundreds of people came to St. Mary’s Cathedral in St. Cloud Feb. 14 to witness the ordination and installation of the Diocese of St. Cloud’s 10th bishop, Bishop Patrick M. Neary, an Indiana native and priest of the Congregation ... Read More »

Suspect in shooting death of LA Bishop O’Connell charged with murder

Posted by Elizabeth Gjovik

By Angelus Staff OSV News 

The suspect in the shooting death of Los Angeles Auxiliary Bishop David G. O’Connell was formally charged with murder Feb. 22 after admitting to killing him. 

Bishop O’Connell was found dead of at least one gunshot wound to his upper torso in his home in the ... Read More »

News in brief

Posted by Elizabeth Gjovik

Lenten regulations 

Ash Wednesday, Feb. 22, and Good Friday, April 7, are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics. In addition, Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of abstinence. 

For members of the Latin Catholic Church, the norms on fasting are obligatory from age 18 until age 59. When ... Read More »

Obituary: Deacon Theodore J. “Ted” Windus 

Posted by Elizabeth Gjovik

Theodore J. “Ted” Windus Sr., 83, of Duluth passed away Feb. 20, 2023, at St. Luke’s Hospital. He was born in Duluth on July 7, 1939, to Harry and Rose Windus. Ted graduated from Duluth Cathedral High School. He was employed by the 148th Minnesota Air National Guard, Duluth. Ted married ... Read More »

Editorial: Continuing to pray for peace 

Posted by Elizabeth Gjovik

It’s now been a year since Russia invaded Ukraine, and the war goes on, taking its dreadful toll. Over that year, other nations around the world, including our own, have been drawn deeper and deeper into the conflict, through sanctions and countless billions of dollars in arms shipments and ... Read More »

Bishop Robert Barron: Inclusion and exclusion 

Posted by Elizabeth Gjovik

By Bishop Robert Barron Word on Fire 

I would like to follow up on an earlier article I wrote on the notions of “inclusivity” and “welcome,” which have come to dominate the Catholic conversation in the lead-up to the Synod on Synodality. 

Many voices from around the world are clamoring ... Read More »