Catholic Web Resources

The Holy See (Vatican City)

Popes in their secular role ruled portions of the Italian peninsula for more than a thousand years until the mid 19th century, when many of the Papal States were seized by the newly united Kingdom of Italy. In 1870, the pope's holdings were further circumscribed when Rome itself was annexed. Disputes between a series of "prisoner" popes and Italy were resolved in 1929 by three Lateran Treaties, which established the independent state of Vatican City and granted Roman Catholicism special status in Italy. In 1984, a concordat between the Holy See and Italy modified certain of the earlier treaty provisions, including the primacy of Roman Catholicism as the Italian state religion.

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is an assembly of the hierarchy of the United States and the U.S. Virgin Islands who jointly exercise certain pastoral functions on behalf of the Christian faithful of the United States. The purpose of the Conference is to promote the greater good which the Church offers humankind, especially through forms and programs of the apostolate fittingly adapted to the circumstances of time and place. This purpose is drawn from the universal law of the Church and applies to the episcopal conferences which are established all over the world for the same purpose.

Michigan Catholic Conference

The Michigan Catholic Conference promotes a social order that respects the dignity of the human person and serves the common good in the spirit of the Beatitudes and in accord with the teachings of the Catholic Church.Through the development and promotion of sound public policy the Conference enriches the lives of the people of Michigan.Through the administration of benefit services, it offers health, safety, security and protection for diocesan and parish employees and properties.By advocacy and service the Michigan Catholic Conference serves its Gospel-mandated mission of justice with a dedication to integrity and excellence.

Archdiocese of Detroit

Adam Joseph Maida, former Bishop of the Diocese of Green Bay, Wisconsin, was installed as Detroit's fourth Archbishop on June 12, 1990. On November 26, 1994, Archbishop Maida was elevated to the College of Cardinals.

Cardinal Maida leads a diocese of 315 parishes, missions and communities, 155 schools, 5 Catholic colleges and universities, 2 seminaries, and several other Catholic institutions. The overall Catholic population is approximately 1.5 million. The boundaries of the Archdiocese of Detroit encompass the six southeastern Michigan counties of Monroe, Wayne, Oakland, St. Clair, Macomb and Lapeer, a land area equaling 3,009 square miles.

Diocese of Grand Rapids

The Diocese of Grand Rapids was established May 19, 1882.  The Diocese originally consisted of much of the northern and western part of the Lower Peninsula. Since 1971 the Diocese comprises 11 counties of Western Michigan: Ionia, Kent, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Osceola, and Ottawa. The total square miles is 6,795.  The total population of the 11-county area is estimated at 1,283,717 (2000 U.S. Census) and the Catholic population at 162,670

Diocese of Kalamazoo

The Catholic Diocese of Kalamazoo was founded on July 21, 1971. The Second Vatican Council called for the creation of smaller diocese so that bishops could be more available to the people they serve. Five Michigan bishops, the National Council of Catholic Bishop and the Holy Father reviewed a three-year study of existing boundaries and suggestions of realignment of or development of new dioceses in Michigan. This resulted in the creation of two new dioceses in Michigan: The Diocese of Gaylord and the Diocese of Kalamazoo.

The Diocese of Kalamazoo encompasses 5,337 square miles of nine counties in southwest Michigan: Allegan, Barry, Van Buren, Kalamazoo, Calhoun, Berrien, Cass, St. Joseph and Branch.  

Diocese of Lansing

The Diocese of Lansing was established in 1937.  The 6,218 square miles of the Diocese include ten counties in southeastern Michigan: Clinton, Eaton, Genesee, Hillsdale, Ingham, Jackson, Lenawee, Livingston, Shiawassee and Washtenaw. Major cities are Manchester, Lansing, Adrian, Ann Arbor, Flint, Jackson, Owosso, and Ypsilanti.

Diocese of Marquette

Diocese of Saginaw

The Diocese of Saginaw is a faith community consisting of 11 counties in the east central part of the Roman Catholic Province of Detroit.  Established by papal decree in June of 1938, the diocese was formed from portions of the Diocese of Grand Rapids and the Archdiocese of Detroit.  The 6,955 square miles of the diocese includes 11 counties in eastern Michigan:  Arenac, Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Gratiot, Huron, Isabella, Midland, Saginaw, Sanilac and Tuscola. 

Other Dioceses

The organizational structure of the Catholic Church in the United States consists of 33 Provinces with as many Archdioceses (Metropolitan Sees); 149 Dioceses (Suffragan Sees); the Military Archdiocese; four Eastern-Rite jurisdictions immediately subject to the Holy See in Rome. 

Michigan State Council Knights of Columbus

On March 29, 1882, Father Michael J. McGivney officially chartered the Knights of Columbus as a fraternal benefit society. The Order is still true to its founding principles of charity, unity and fraternity.

Knights of Columbus are Catholic men, 18 years of age and older, who are committed to making their community a better place, while supporting their Church. Being a Knight is more than camaraderie; it is being involved with your community; supporting your local Catholic Church, while enhancing your own faith; and protecting and enhancing your family life.

Since its humble beginnings more than 125 years, the Knights of Columbus has grown from several members in one council to more than 13,000 councils and 1.7 million members throughout the United States, Canada, the Philippines, Mexico, Poland, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Panama, the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands, Cuba, Guatemala, Guam and Saipan.

For more information about the Knights of Columbus in Michigan, visit the website of  the Michigan State Council of the Knights of Columbus.

Baraga Broadcasting, Inc.

Baraga Broadcasting, Inc. is an independent, non-profit organzation dedicated to bringing Catholic Radio to the Diocese of Gaylord.  Currently, Catholic Radio may be heard in the Charlevoix/East Jordan/Boyne City areas on WTCK 90.9 FM.  Outside of those areas, special radios may be purchased to extend the signal.  The goal is to have Catholic Radio available throughout the diocese within three years.  The mission of Baraga Broadcasting is to speak in a contemporary and non-commercial radio voice, offer the good news of Jesus Christ from the richness of the Roman Catholic tradition and its present scholarship, and to reach out in an interesting, educational, and entertaining approach to listeners living in an often complex and confusing world.

National Conference of Catechetical Leadershp

NCCL is a Catholic association dedicated to advancing the Church's teaching mission in the United States, especially by promoting excellence in catechetical leaders.

Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions

The FDLC represents Roman Catholic Diocesan Offices of Worship and Liturgical Commisions throughout the United States.

University of Dayton Internet Studies

Site for information and registration instructions for the University of Dayton Internet Study Program which consists of 6-week long theology mini courses.

The New American Bible

The original version of the New American Bible (NAB) was published in 1970. The New Testament was revised and published in 1986. The Book of Psalms (the Psalter) was revised in 1991. A revision of the Old Testament, excluding the Psalter, is currently underway and should be published in 2004-2005.   Therefore, the most recent editions of the NAB include the 1970 Old Testament, 1991 Psalter, and 1986 New Testament, though some older editions are still in print.

Besides the various versions of the Scriptural text, many different publishers have produced editions of the NAB. Each publisher has added other material, such as photographs, maps, devotions and prayers, and reference matter, to the basic text.

Catechism of the Catholic Church

The Second Edition English Translation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church includes the corrections promulgated by Pope John Paul II on 8 September 1997. These corrections to the English text of the Catechism of the Catholic Church were made to harmonize it with the official Latin text promulgated by Pope John Paul II on the same date.

Once Catholic

This web site, sponsored by St. Anthony Messenger Press, seeks to help Catholics who are considering returning to the Catholic Church.

www.oncecatholic.org/

Catholic Encyclopedia

Ongoing transcription of the catholic encyclopedia.

www.knight.org/advent/cathen