Articles by Jonah McKeown
The Holy Thorn: In Glastonbury, England, a special hawthorn tree blooms every year at Christmas
Dec 26, 2023 / 07:00 amThis special variety of hawthorn grows in and around Glastonbury and the legendary, original tree is said to have sprouted from the wooden staff of St. Joseph of Arimathea.
St. Stephen: Visiting the spot where the first martyr died
Dec 26, 2023 / 04:00 amA chapel of one form or another memorializing Stephen’s martyrdom has existed at the site since at least the fifth century.
Jesuit astronomer remembers the first Christmas in space
Dec 25, 2023 / 08:00 amIn the midst of the chaos of 1968, three men left the earth behind, trading the strife of the world below for the silent, contemplative vacuum of space.
O Little Town of Bethlehem… Pennsylvania? The story of ‘Christmas City USA’
Dec 25, 2023 / 07:00 amPerhaps the most famous town called Bethlehem in the U.S. is Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, a town of 75,000, just a short drive from Allentown.
8 classic Christmas movies to watch with your family this year
Dec 22, 2023 / 09:00 amIf you’re a Catholic parent looking for a classic Christmas movie — especially a classic that’s appropriate and enjoyable for the entire family — here are some ideas.
Study used to justify ‘conversion therapy’ bans is faulty, Catholic researcher contends
Dec 19, 2023 / 08:00 amFather Paul Sullins says a widely-cited study purporting to show a link between “conversion therapy” and increased suicidal ideation is seriously flawed.
Catholicism and martyrdom in Japan: Church marks 400 years since Edo massacre
Dec 17, 2023 / 07:00 amThe small but devout Catholic community in Japan is built upon the witness of untold numbers of martyrs.
Six popes are buried at St. Mary Major; Pope Francis says he’ll be next
Dec 14, 2023 / 17:15 pmThe pope said this week that a burial place has been prepared for him at Santa Maria Maggiore — who are the other popes who were buried there?
No closures recommended for St. Louis Catholic elementary schools, archdiocese says
Dec 13, 2023 / 14:39 pmPastors at each of the 25 Catholic elementary schools eyed for closure earlier this year have recommended that their schools remain open, the archdiocese announced.
Critics: Death stats in Canada, some U.S. states hide euthanasia, assisted suicide numbers
Dec 12, 2023 / 11:00 amEuthanasia and assisted suicide do not appear in the top 10 list of causes of death in Canada despite comprising the sixth leading cause of death.
Here are 5 things to know about Cardinal Burke
Dec 6, 2023 / 10:10 amAs details of the prelate’s housing situation in Vatican City continue to develop, here are some important things to know about him.
Austin bishop celebrates special Mass in Texas prison for female death row inmates
Dec 5, 2023 / 10:41 amThe Mass, which took place at the Mountain View Unit prison in Gatesville, Texas, was part of a three-day conference on prison ministry.
America’s Catholics weigh in on Pope Francis’ climate change priorities
Dec 1, 2023 / 12:41 pmThe pope’s foray into climate science variously draws both praise and consternation from Catholics in the U.S.
MAP: Are Holy Land pilgrimage sites threatened by the Israel-Hamas war?
Nov 30, 2023 / 07:30 amAmid the uncertainty of war, what is the outlook for the Holy Land’s many precious sites? CNA spoke to Father David Grenier, U.S. commissary of the Holy Land.
Catholic actor Jonathan Roumie partners with child sponsorship charity for special milestone
Nov 28, 2023 / 15:25 pmThe Catholic child sponsorship charity Unbound announced Tuesday that Roumie, of “The Chosen,” has partnered with them to sponsor their 1 millionth child.
St. Andrew Dung-Lac and companions: vanguards of the faith in a time of persecution
Nov 24, 2023 / 06:00 amOn Nov. 24, the Church remembers and honors St. Andrew Dung-Lac and his companions, a group of 117 martyrs who died in the 19th century in Vietnam.
Was Squanto Catholic? What we know about this hero of the first Thanksgiving
Nov 23, 2023 / 04:00 amIn March 1621, the chief of the Wampanoag confederation met with the Pilgrims and brought Tisquantum along to translate. He then stayed with the Pilgrims.
Update: Texas dioceses targeted by scammer impersonating Catholic priest
Nov 21, 2023 / 14:45 pmA man calling himself “Father Martin” attempted to infiltrate several Texas parishes last month and reportedly stole several hundred dollars from one parish.
Texas lawmakers vote to remove school choice provision from funding bill
Nov 20, 2023 / 16:56 pmThe amendment would have allowed parents to make use of 75% of the cost of sending the student to public school to pay for the institution of their choice.
Indi Gregory dies: What went wrong, and what happens next?
Nov 17, 2023 / 16:20 pmCatholics in the U.K. say the country’s medical and legal authorities need to place a greater emphasis on parental voices when difficult medical decisions arise.