Churches & Religion

Pianist Thomas Rheingans is joined by violinist Mary Rowell at a recent Encore concert.

Bits ‘n’ Pieces: Taste of Mardi Gras in Vancouver benefits the homeless

February 12, 2016, 6:30am Churches & Religion

Mardi Gras, otherwise known as Fat Tuesday, officially wrapped up for the year this week. In New Orleans, birthplace of the multicultural party-in-the-streets tradition, folks always get a head start by cranking up weeks of parading and jamming in January. Read story

Cars pass through downtown El Paso, Texas, which is undergoing a major facelift as it tries to attract new residents and more visitors. The city is preparing for the Feb. 17 visit of Pope Francis to neighboring Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. City officials expect tens of thousands of visitors to the city even though the Pope will stay in Juarez, Mexico.

Revitalized El Paso ready to show off for papal tourists

February 11, 2016, 1:15pm Churches & Religion

Visitors who plan on trying to get a glimpse from El Paso of Pope Francis across the border will find a revitalized downtown that's growing as fast as it can. Read story

"The Virgin of Immigrants," an image of the Virgin of Guadalupe ornamented with symbols and phrases related to immigration, is displayed in the studio of artist Eva Vale. She created the aluminum piece for Pope Francis' visit to Mexico.

Pope’s Mexico visit highlights Saint’s influence

February 11, 2016, 6:09am Churches & Religion

MEXICO CITY -- A weathered pastel image of the Virgin of Guadalupe hangs from German Herrera Hernandez's dashboard, watching over his passengers from her perch next to his cigarettes, gum and the handful of coins he uses to make change. Read story

The Reverend Tom Warne offers "Ashes to Go " to passersby Julie Davis on Ash Wednesday in front of Church of the Good Shepherd in Vancouver Wednesday February 10, 2016.

Episcopal churches offering ‘ashes to go’ for Ash Wednesday

February 10, 2016, 1:34pm Churches & Religion

Commuters in Vancouver had a chance for drive-by penitence on Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. Read story

During his visit to the Islamic Society of Baltimore on Wednesday, President Barack Obama rebuked the entertainment industry for underplaying the role of everyday Muslim-Americans.

Hollywood flawed at portraying religion

February 6, 2016, 6:03am Churches & Religion

When President Barack Obama visited the Islamic Society of Baltimore on Wednesday in his first visit to a mosque during his presidency, he issued a sharp rebuke to the entertainment industry. Read story

Pope among Nobel Prize candidates

STAVANGER, Norway -- A woman who champions the rights of Islamic State rape victims, Pope Francis and the Afghan women's cycling team are among the known candidates for the 2016 Nobel Peace Prize. The nomination window closed Monday. Read story

Chaplains aid in police support

John Edmondson with the Fresno Police Chaplaincy reads to a first-grade class Jan. 15 at Pyle Elementary School in Fresno, Calif.

A new "Support Blue Fresno" campaign aimed at broadening support for local law enforcement -- the latest project of the nonprofit Fresno Police Chaplaincy -- began with an unexpected conversation in the home of its executive director, Rodney Lowery. Read story