Death

After 20 children and six adults were shot dead in Connecticut, Pope Benedict XVI offered his condolences and prayers, urging all to dedicate themselves to acts of peace in the face of such "senseless violence."After reciting the Angelus Dec. 17, the pope, speaking in English, said he was "deeply saddened" by the Dec. 14 shooting at an elementary school in Newtown, Conn. In addition to the students and staff killed, the gunman took his own life.

In the month of November, the Church exhorts her faithful to pray specifically for the holy souls in Purgatory. Indeed, we have defined it as a spiritual work of mercy to "pray for the living and the dead" anytime, but during this month, and especially on All Souls' Day itself, the whole Church is united for this good and holy purpose.

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- In addition to the usual teen and children's programs and the expected selection of workshops on such topics as the power of God and healing relationships, the 41st annual Catholic Renewal Convention sponsored by Southern California Renewal Communities offered a look into the reality of evil in the world today.

A funeral Mass was celebrated Aug. 1 at Our Lady of the Pillar Church in Creve Coeur for Marianist Brother Louis Pinckert, who served in the archdiocese at McBride High School, St. Mary's High School, Chaminade College Prep, the old Maryhurst on the grounds of St. John Vianney High School and at the province headquarters.

Brother Louis died July 26 in San Antonio at age 87. He had been in religious life 68 years.

MILWAUKEE -- The killing of six Sikhs Aug. 5 at their temple in the Milwaukee suburb of Oak Creek brought an outpouring of spiritual support from leaders in the Catholic community, as well as a call for the entire community to examine violence in U.S. culture.

Assuring the Sikh community "that our prayers go out in solidarity with you," Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki said Aug. 6, "There's an aspect of we want to do something to help ease the pain of that community; one of the things that immediately comes to mind is prayer so we turn our hearts and attention to God.

A funeral Mass was celebrated July 21 at St. Anthony of Padua Church in south St. Louis for Franciscan Father Robert Behnen, former pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Oakville.

Father Behnen, died July 11at the age of 78.