WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Catholics across the country are invited to take part in the "9 Days for Life" novena Jan. 21-29 for the protection of human life. Each day's intercession is accompanied by prayers, a short reflection and one or more suggested actions for novena participants to take to help build a culture of life, such as pledging to participate in a parish-based program called Walking With Moms in Need.

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- For the first time since 1974, when it first began, the message of the national March for Life to participants is: Stay home. Like the satellite events connected to the annual National Mall rally and march to the Supreme Court, including the Rose Dinner, a youth conference and the Mass for Life, the rest of it will be online only Jan. 29.

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- A Department of Health and Human Services modified rule that helps ensure that faith-based social service providers will not be excluded from certain federally funded programs was met with approval by the chairmen of three U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops committees.