homilies –n. (plural) sermons

pastoral – adj. relating to spiritual care or guidance

cross-section –n. small group of examples of people in a larger group

encyclical –n. an official letter from the pope to bishops

plight –n. a very bad or difficult situation

pontiff –n. pope

canonize –v. to officially declare someone a saint

just – adj. fair to all people

annulment –v. to say officially a marriage is no longer valid

change agent –n. someone who brings change