Carol Zimmermann

The U.S. bishops' conference and the Catholic Legal Immigration Network filed one brief, while several U.S. women's religious orders, Hope Border Institute and Network Lobby for Catholic Social Justice filed another. 

The first Catholic newspaper in the U.S. was essentially an outreach to immigrant Catholics. Over 200 years later, the National Catholic Reporter is also involved in an outreach to immigrants — but in a whole different way.

Twice recently Pope Leo XIV has brought up a book that spells out his spiritual MO. The short book, The Practice of the Presence of God by 17th-century lay Carmelite Brother Lawrence, seems to pack a spiritual punch.

Yes, Pope Leo XIV was an obvious candidate for Newsmaker of the Year. But just because he made news as the new pope and the first U.S. pope, that didn't automatically move him into the top slot for the NCR editorial staff.

Advent's Lent-like waiting period is exactly why churches do not immediately whip out Christmas trees at the end of Ordinary Time. It's not just about being minimalist, but following a tradition of when the church celebrates what.

He said he hopes and believes "that in God's grace I will be Archbishop of Washington for many years to come."

Walking with two Presentation Sisters ministering months after Hurricane Katrina, NCR's Carol Zimmermann "was convinced the church here got it right about truly being present to those in need."

The universal church is on full display during the waiting-for-white-smoke period. Watchers who gather at St. Peter's Square are brought together by curiosity but also hope the church's new leader will be the right person for this time. 

Although the COVID-19 pandemic inspired necessary church creativity, today it leaves its mark more in what we don't do. 

The small cardboard boxes have long supported Catholic Relief Services' hunger relief programs. This year, Trump's foreign federal aid freeze leaves CRS in dire straits and grassroots support all the more important.

President Joe Biden announced Dec. 23 that he is commuting the death sentences of 37 men convicted of murder who will now serve life imprisonment sentences without parole.

If the relic of the renowned 13th-century Dominican friar could travel 4,000 miles from its resting place in France, I could certainly make the 29-mile pilgrimage from my Maryland home to one of its stops in D.C.

Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker, who gained national attention for his controversial graduation speech at Benedictine College, had something to say on X, formerly Twitter, about how Cardinal Cupich wore his pectoral cross.

Tony Spence, former director and editor-in-chief of Catholic News Service, died July 28 after a series of health conditions. He is remembered for his dedication to Catholic journalism and for being a true friend to many.

In an end-of-the year decision, the Supreme Court said Dec. 27 that a federal public health rule that allows immigration officials at the border to quickly turn away migrants seeking asylum could stay in place while legal challenges to the policy played out.

Chief Justice John Roberts temporarily stopped the Biden administration from ending a pandemic-related border restriction with a one-page order Dec. 19.

Catholic and other opponents of the death penalty applauded Oregon Gov. Kate Brown's decision to commute the sentences of the state's 17 inmates on death row, changing their sentences to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Supreme Court justices Nov. 29 examined a Biden administration policy that placed the arrest and deportation of some unauthorized immigrants over others.

In the third week of November, three executions by lethal injection took place in the U.S. in just two days and a fourth execution was called off after failed attempts happened close to the expiration of the prisoner's death warrant.

Catholic leaders have condemned the Nov. 19 attack on an LGBTQ nightclub in Colorado Springs, Colorado, that killed at least five people and injured at least 25.