We are in the month of April, the first month of spring with new growth and beginnings. It is also a very special time for the National Safe Haven Alliance (NSHA). This life-saving nonprofit works to promote the continuing existence of safe haven laws across this country and in Indiana. It celebrates April as Safe Haven Awareness Month.

My father-in-law, Robert J. Burger, passed away on March 15. During his funeral Mass, Dad’s cousin, Father Mark Burger, spoke of him as a “soul tender.”

Holy Week and the Octave of Easter are surely the two richest weeks of the Church’s liturgical year.

The pope who was full of surprises has once again caught everyone off guard. Just when it appeared that he was recovering, albeit slowly, from the near fatal illness that had caused him to be hospitalized for 37 days—and just hours after he appeared on a balcony overlooking St. Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday, giving what turned out to be his last pontifical blessing—Jorge Mario Bergoglio (Pope Francis) died.

La piedra que desecharon los constructores, es ahora la piedra angular. Del Señor viene todo esto y nos parece admirable. Este es el día en que actuó el Señor, alegrémonos, gocémonos en él (Sal 118:22-24).

The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. By the Lord has this been done; it is wonderful in our eyes. This is the day the Lord has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it. (Ps 118:22-24)

As the coordinator of young adult ministry for the archdiocese, Rachel Levy appreciates the influence that Pope Francis had on her generation and her own faith life.

In his homily during the archdiocesan chrism Mass on April 15 in SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis, Archbishop Charles C. Thompson said Catholics in central and southern Indiana, empowered by the Holy Spirit, can show forth “a sense of Gospel joy” in the way they live their faith even when they face “challenges, hardships, pain and suffering” in daily life.

Last year at the annual archdiocesan chrism Mass, Father Anthony Armbruster carried the crucifix at the beginning of a long procession of priests and deacons walking into SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis. At the time, he was a transitional deacon about two months from being ordained a priest.

The Criterion is inviting you, our readers, to share your thoughts, tributes and stories about how Pope Francis influenced your life of faith during his papacy from 2013-2025.

As the coordinator of young adult ministry for the archdiocese, Rachel Levy appreciates the influence that Pope Francis had on her generation and her own faith life.

In his 12 years of leading the Church, Pope Francis called all of us to be the change the world needs. Make a difference in the lives of the vulnerable, the poor, the oppressed, the immigrant, the heartbroken.

When Archbishop Charles C. Thompson remembers Pope Francis, many things come to mind: his insightful teaching, the powerful witness of his simplicity and his care for the poor and those on the margins of society.

Holy Week and the Octave of Easter are surely the two richest weeks of the Church’s liturgical year. It starts with the blessing of palms on Palm Sunday and goes on to the blessing of oils at the chrism Mass.

Pese a la tristeza que nos invade por la noticia del fallecimiento del papa Francisco a sus 88 años, nos consuela enormemente saber que ahora goza de la recompensa eterna después de tantos años de fiel servicio a Jesucristo y a su Iglesia.

Though saddened to learn of Pope Francis’ death at age 88, we can take great consolation in his passing to his eternal reward after so many years of faithful service to Jesus Christ and his Church.