WASHINGTON. Long before Pope Francis’ encyclical on care for creation was released, it was providing a boost for a group of women struggling to keep the negative influences of modern-day life from erasing valued Mexican traditions and treasured cultural practices along the Mexico-Texas border.

VATICAN CITY. Pope Francis’ encyclical “Laudato Si’, on Care for Our Common Home” is a call for global action as well as an appeal for deep inner conversion.

VATICAN CITY. The earth, which was created to support life and give praise to God, is crying out with pain because human activity is destroying it, Pope Francis says in his long-awaited encyclical, “Laudato Si’, on Care for Our Common Home.”

Just before the ordination Mass for Father Austin Gilstrap and four other men began on Friday, June 12, a young priest told him “that I should open myself up to the graces of God that’s about to happen.”

Father Ryan High School’s Ben Weisel won state championships in the 1600-meter and 3200-meter races at the recent TSSAA Spring Fling Division II track and field meet and led the Irish to a tie for second place in the team standings, the highest finish in school history.

Bishop David Choby will renew the consecration of the Diocese of Nashville to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary during a special Mass at 7 p.m. Friday, June 12, at the new Catholic Pastoral Center at 2800 McGavock Pike in Nashville.

When St. Bernard Academy celebrates its 150th anniversary in the fall of 2016, it will be opening the doors to a new era in the school’s history.

Parishes across the Diocese of Nashville, including St. Henry, Immaculate Conception in Clarksville and St. Ann where pastors are retiring, will welcome new pastors and associate pastors this summer.

Thirty-two students from pre-kindergarten to eighth grade, their teachers and parents said goodbye to the School of the Good Shepherd in Decherd, closing after 103 years of providing a Catholic education to children in Franklin County.

On Friday, June 12, Bishop David Choby will ordain five men as priests for the Diocese of Nashville, continuing a boon in vocations since he was installed as bishop in 2006.

Conlon Griesmer, a University of Tennessee-Knoxville sophomore and a graduate of Holy Rosary Academy and Father Ryan High School, decided to do something meaningful for his spring break.

Beginning on June 6, Holy Rosary Academy and Father Ryan High School graduate Chris Ring will swim the length of the Mississippi River. He will be the first American to do so.

Catholic Charities of Tennessee wants people not to come to their Pathways to Possibilities fundraising luncheon.

The Catholic Foundation of Tennessee Inc. awarded grants totaling $70,000 for capital improvement projects in two parishes in the Diocese of Nashville.

After 40 years of teaching, including 36 years at Christ the King School, Marilyn Hassell is retiring from her post as the schools kindergarten teacher.

Barby Magness wanted to be principal of St. Matthew School in Franklin before it was built.

St. William Church in Shelbyville has invited two of its former pastors, Salvatorian priests Richard Driscoll and Richard Gagnon, to return on Saturday, June 6, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their ordinations.

In 1976, shortly after Frank Bainbridge’s ordination as a permanent deacon, he struck up a friendship with the late Father Jack Hickey and the late Deacon Bill Steltemeier.

During his ordination as a priest nearly 65 years ago, Father Paul Hostettler was kneeling on a step before the altar at the Cathedral of the Incarnation as Bishop William Adrian laid his hands on his head.

Under the leadership of Father Philip Breen, the hymn “Praise God from Whom all Blessings Flow” is popular at St. Ann Church in Nashville.