Five Things To Remember On April 9

1. Pope Francis isn't a big fan of gossip. A Catholic News Service piece said the pope was talking during a Mass earlier today and said that "Christians need to recover the value of meekness, particularly when they are tempted to speak ill of one of another or gossip about each other."

2. Annette Funicello, the famed Mousketeer, died Monday. She suffered complications with multiple sclerosis for decades. During her struggle, she once told People Magazine, "I'm a Catholic and I've always been a religious person, and having MS reminds me that there's a higher power up there who knows what HE's doing. MS has brought my family closer together, if that's possible." 

3. Across the U.S., many churches are unable to offer their people the basic pastoral ministries of word, worship and service without help. The Catholic Home Missions Appeal, which will take place April 27-28 across the country gives them grants that fund seminaries, catechesis programs and Catholic schools.

4. Asian and Pacific Catholics will hold an annual Marian Pilgrimage May 11 in a celebration of their faith and heritage at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington. It's open to everyone. For more information, check out: http://www.usccb.org/news/2013/13-063.cfm

5. God loves you.