VATICAN CITY (CNS) – As some 150 cardinals from around the world gathered with Pope Francis to talk about the family, their two days of discussion focused particularly on three points: the Christian vision of people and family life; essential pastoral programs to support families; and ministry to divorced and civilly remarried Catholics.

The big smile on Mieu Nguyen’s face while manning a food booth at the recent New Year’s Tet celebration at Mary Queen of Vietnam belied some tough circumstances she endured while escaping Communism in Vietnam.

“Where’s Wooly?” shouted Father Robert Cooper, dressed in full shepherd’s garb while leading 24 second graders on a hunt for a sheep named “Wooly” lost somewhere inside St. Benilde Church. Every time Father Cooper called out Wooly’s name, the second graders got closer and closer to a pre-recorded sound of a sheep bleating.

A couple of “snow days” couldn’t stop the 2014 Catholic Schools Week Arts and Music Festival from rolling on at Lakeside Shopping Center Jan. 27-Feb. 1. Although the full slate of Jan. 29 performances had to be cancelled, the remainder of the week’s vocal and dance presentations from Catholic elementary and high schools went off without a hitch.

Like every great free-throw shooter, Ian McManus goes through an identical routine before delivering the basketball to its intended target. In Ian’s case, he dribbles the ball twice, then quickly raises it from chest level to the top of his head in one elegant motion.

During Catholic Schools Week 2014, in addition to enjoying fun “extras” such as sweet treats and days designated for the wearing of their favorite sweatshirt or “crazy socks,” students at St. Ann School in Metairie took care of some serious business: Every student in grades kindergarten through seven composed a personal, handwritten note of appreciation to his or her parents for the gift of Catholic education.

Joseph C. Larose, the longtime associate editor and editorial writer of the Clarion Herald, died Feb. 18 at Our Lady of Wisdom Healthcare Center. Larose was 87 and had been married for 50 years to Ermine Frink Larose.

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23 Febrero 2014 Domingo 7 Tiempo Ordinario Matt. 5: 38-48 lguna gente piensa que este mandato de amar a los enemigos es imposible de poner en practica. Y dicen que es suficiente con no odiarlos.“Pero tenemos que entender que Cristo no nos pide imposibles, sino perfección” (S. Jerónimo) Hay un buen criterio par interpretar estos pasajes del Sermón que parecen difíciles a nosotros:

Academy of Our Lady and Archbishop Shaw celebrated Don Bosco Day Jan. 31 with Mass, lunch and a new “Battle of the Birds” between the AOL Penguins and Shaw Eagles. Faculty/staff basketball, bean bag toss, human wheelbarrow, one-legged race, football toss, crab walk, sack races, shorts relay, Hula Hoop contest and dizzy bat competitions between the Salesian schools resulted in the “Penguins” as the overall winner of the Don Bosco Day trophy.

Nearly everywhere he travels, whether by commuter plane or jet, Cardinal Donald Wuerl, the archbishop of Washington, inevitably engages in conversation with non-Catholics curious about the Catholic Church and its beliefs.

Louisiana Right to Life sent its mobile van with ultrasound equipment to Cabrini High Feb. 13 to let students see a live ultrasound of one of their teachers, who is 36 weeks pregnant. “It was the first live ultrasound I’ve seen,” said junior Victoria Barnes, 16.

Cabrini High School’s annual Green and Gold Quest speech tournament attracted more than 100 participants from 12 local middle and high schools. The tournament is sanctioned by the New Orleans Catholic Forensic League and the Louisiana State Speech League and attracts major speech and debate teams from around the metropolitan New Orleans area.

Deadline: Submissions due Thursday (10 days before each issue) calendar@clarionherald.org (504) area code unless noted Feb. 22-March 2 EVENTS MASS, in recognition of the new name and continued ministry to women at Archdiocese of New Orleans Retreat House dedicated to Our Lady of the Cenacle, Feb. 22, 11 a.m. 5500 St. Mary St., Metairie.

La arquidiócesis celebró el Día Mundial de la Vida Consagrada, el sábado pasado. ¿Le preocupa el número de vocaciones a la vida religiosa? Es una preocupación, pero debemos darnos cuenta de que Dios es fiel.

➤ Age: 25 ➤ Seminary year: 4th Theology, Notre Dame Seminary ➤ Home Parish: Our Lady of Lourdes, Slidell

We are surrounded by phrases and words that are poison. “That was gay.” “You’re retarded.” “Gotta fit in this dress, time to start starving myself.” “He must be the adopted child of the family.” “I’m going to kill myself.” I have heard each of these phrases spoken in the past month.

Decision time approaches for Saints head coach Sean Payton and general manager Mickey Loomis. Last offseason, that decision – offense or defense – was made in free agency and in the draft. The 2012 Saints were the worst defense in NFL history, allowing 7,042 yards.

Mount Carmel’s run through three rounds of District 9-5A competition was a ho-hum event. The Cubs hardly broke a sweat in sweeping the three-team district, which also included Archbishop Chapelle and Dominican.