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Africa’s Catholic hierarchy refuses same-sex blessings, says such unions are contrary to God’s will

VATICAN CITY (AP) — In the greatest rebuke yet to Pope Francis, the Catholic bishops of Africa and Madagascar issued a unified statement Thursday refusing to follow his declaration allowing priests to offer blessings to same-sex couples and asserting that such unions are “contrary to the will of God.” The statement, signed by Congolese Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo on behalf of the symposium of African national bishops conferences, marked the closest thing to a continent-wide dissent from the declaration Francis approved Dec. 18 allowing priests to offer such blessings. That ...

Finding Faith: Believing is seeing

Every once in a while, you encounter a piece of information that forces you to rethink your predisposed stance on an issue, whether important or trivial. For example, do you have to see something to truly believe it? Let’s consider the scientifically accepted theories and understanding of dark matter and dark energy. I understand that talk of these issues probably doesn’t exactly fire up the excite-o-meter of many reading this column, so I’ll keep it as brief and simple as possible. According to NASA, dark matter defined in its simplest terms is this: A matter that is composed ...

Local Church Briefs

Bible Citizenship Class BLANCHARD — Beginning Jan. 10, Blanchard Church of Christ will be doing a Bible Citizenship Class every Wednesday from 6-7:30 p.m. The class runs through Feb. 28. Stephanie Borowicz will be leading it and the books are $20. They can call the church office at 570-962-2423 to order a book. Winter coat/clothing give-a-way HOWARD — Curtin United Methodist Church’s Winter Coat/Clothing Give-A-Way will be on Jan. 12-13, Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., 305 Curtin Village Road, Howard. Curtin Church is located 3 miles north of Milesburg near the historic ...

Finding Faith: Consider God’s plan for your life in this year’s resolutions

Why do people make New Year’s resolutions? It’s an interesting tradition, isn’t it? The turn of the calendar year feels like a time for a clean start, an opportunity to do things differently: eat better, exercise more consistently, quit addicting habits, learn something new, become better at time management, recommit to spending time with God, etc., etc., etc. Whether it’s for better physical, mental or spiritual health, financial breakthrough, stronger relationships or increased opportunities, it seems we all want to make resolutions because we want something better in ...

Local Church Briefs

Winter coat/clothing give-a-way HOWARD — Curtin United Methodist Church's Winter Coat/Clothing Give-A-Way will be on Jan. 12-13, Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., 305 Curtin Village Road, Howard. Curtin Church is located three miles north of Milesburg near the historic Curtin Village. For more information or donations please contact Larry Beahm at 814-355-9588. New Year’s Eve Service LAMAR — Lamar United Methodist Church will host their sister churches, Flemington and Mill Hall, on Dec. 31 at 10:30 a.m. for a 5th Sunday Service. A covered dish Fellowship Lunch will ...

Trinity UMC distributes goody bags to area seniors

PHOTO PROVIDED Bellefonte's Trinity United Methodist Church recently prepared and distributed 29 goody bags to residents at a local senior citizens residence in the Bellefonte area during the Christmas season. Shown here are Trinity's team, who distributed the bags, from top left to bottom, ...