Jonah McKeown

Jonah McKeown

Jonah McKeown is a staff writer and podcast producer for Catholic News Agency. He holds a Master’s Degree from the University of Missouri School of Journalism and has worked as a writer, as a producer for public radio, and as a videographer. He is based in St. Louis.

Articles by Jonah McKeown

Massive attendance, enthusiasm at Fellowship of Catholic University Students conference

Jan 2, 2024 / 17:53 pm

Forty-four bishops are in attendance this year — more than double last year's number — as well as 450 seminarians, up from 250 last year.

Catholics continue to rally around Afghan refugee families in St. Louis

Dec 30, 2023 / 06:00 am

Exhausted Afghan men, women, and children continue to arrive to the United States. In many places, Christians are the ones doing the most to welcome them.

Catholic speaker John O’Leary gets the Hollywood treatment of his life story

Dec 28, 2023 / 08:00 am

The film about John O’Leary’s extraordinary life and recovery wrapped up at the Shrine of St. Joseph in downtown St. Louis earlier this month. 

Catholics prepare to converge in St. Louis for SEEK24: Here’s what to expect

Dec 28, 2023 / 07:00 am

More than 18,000 people from across the country have signed up to attend the SEEK24 Catholic conference in St. Louis from Jan. 1–5, 2024.

Here’s every state where abortion is on the ballot in 2024

Dec 28, 2023 / 06:00 am

While all eyes are on the 2024 presidential matchup, there are also numerous efforts by abortion activists to add “abortion rights” to state codes and constitutions.

The Holy Thorn: In Glastonbury, England, a special hawthorn tree blooms every year at Christmas

Dec 26, 2023 / 07:00 am

This special variety of hawthorn grows in and around Glastonbury and the legendary, original tree is said to have sprouted from the staff of St. Joseph of Arimathea.

St. Stephen: Visiting the spot where the first martyr died

Dec 26, 2023 / 04:00 am

A 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 am

In 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 am

Perhaps 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 am

If 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 am

Father 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 am

The 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 pm

The 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 pm

Pastors 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 am

Euthanasia 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 am

As 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 am

The 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 pm

The 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 am

Amid 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 pm

The Catholic child sponsorship charity Unbound announced Tuesday that Roumie, of “The Chosen,” has partnered with them to sponsor their 1 millionth child.