On Oct. 1, the church celebrates the feast of St. Thérèse of Lisieux — the beloved “Little Flower” whose “little way” of love continues to inspire countless souls more than a century after her death.

A funeral Mass was offered Sept. 25 for Sister of St. Francis Lynn Patrice Lavin. The Baltimore native, who served as congregational minister for the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia, died Sept. 16. She was 76 and had been a member of her order for 55 years.

Congressional lawmakers failed to pass legislation to fund the federal government, resulting in a federal government shutdown at the end of September. Catholic groups that serve the poor urged lawmakers to end gridlock.

More than five centuries after her birth, we can ask this Carmelite reformer to help us travel the paths of joy, prayer, fraternity and time in our own pilgrimage to God.

The 2026 National March for Life theme is “Life is a Gift,” The March for Life Education and Defense Fund announced Sept. 30.