BOOKS

'Girls From Ames' teaches a lesson in friendship

As a lifestyles columnist for The Wall Street Journal, Jeffrey Zaslow chronicles the business of living itself in ''Moving On,'' a column about transitions.

THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

South Florida priest will become bishop in Colorado

A South Florida priest has found a higher calling -- as bishop to the diocese of Pueblo, Colo.

The Rev. Fernando Isern, pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes parish in Southwest Miami-Dade, was named bishop-elect by Pope Benedict XVI, and will be ordained in his new assignment in December.

YIDDISH

Savoring the ironies of a language built on irony

''Onomatopoeia'' is not a Yiddish word, but perhaps it should be. Expressions like ''schmooze,'' ''kibbitz'' and ''chutzpah'' sound like exactly what they are, the very definition of onomatopoeia.

THEATER

'Monologues' unveils the Muslim-American experience

Growing up in Davie, Sahar Ullah remembers the awkward interactions, confused looks and frequent questions from friends and strangers alike about her hijab, the head cover she chooses to wear, and her religion: Islam.

CORAL RIDGE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

2 Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church elders resign

Two elders have resigned from Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, saying the mega-church'snew pastor is retaliating against his critics.

ARCHDIOCESE OF MIAMI

Parishioners mourn closings of South Florida Catholic churches

As 13 churches in the Archdiocese of Miami close their doors, South Florida Catholics are celebrating histories, mourning losses and thinking of what comes next.

RELIGION

Coral Ridge Presbyterian votes to retain controversial new pastor

Despite efforts to oust him, Coral Ridge's new senior pastor received an overwhelming vote of confidence Sunday from the church's members.

The priest, the stripper, and their baby

She was an exotic dancer at a Miami strip club called Porky's. He showed up wearing a Hawaiian shirt, eager to share a night in the VIP lounge.

They began a torrid, on-and-off love affair that ended for good in January, after she gave birth to a daughter she says is his. Now, she wants child support and has filed a restraining order against him.

RELIGION

South Florida synagogues entice new members with savings

As the High Holy Days begin, temples are helping their financially struggling flocks by offering discount services and memberships.

RELIGION

Temple Beth El to broadcast services live on Internet

In a first for South Florida, Temple Beth El in Hollywood will broadcast video of Rosh Hashana services live over the Internet.

SUNNY ISLES BEACH | RELIGION

Orthodox rabbi offers open ear, advice to singles

An Orthodox rabbi gives pep talks to singles and invites them to text him with their problems

RAMADAN

S. Fla's 70,000 Muslims start holy month of Ramadan

South Florida's 70,000 Muslims embark on a monthlong journey of fasting and prayer on Saturday for the holy month of Ramadan.

ARCHDIOCESE OF MIAMI

Blacks, Haitians decry closings of South Florida Catholic churches

Members of African-American and Haitian churches slated for closing fear their traditions and sense of community will be lost when their churches are closed.

Archdiocese of Miami finalizes plans to close 13 churches

For months, Bernadette Poitier has prayed alongside members of Overtown's St. Francis Xavier, hoping a miracle would spare her Catholic church from closing down.

RELIGION | ARCHDIOCESE OF MIAMI

South Florida parishioners pray to save Catholic churches

Area Catholics pray for the survival of 13 churches as the Archdiocese of Miami continues to make financial cuts.

Atheists' billboard raises neighbors' ire

A Fort Lauderdale billboard promoting atheism gave its religious neighbors a headache -- an unintented but probably unavoidable consequence, the sign's sponsors say.

Beyond belief: Atheists push for greater visibility and acceptance

There's nothing unusual about churches advertising Sunday services, but South Florida atheists are turning that idea on its head: Why not promote the belief that there is no God?

WEST KENDALL

West Kendall mosque hosts open house to deter vandalism

After bouts of vandalism that included bullets and smashed windows, a West Kendall mosque is hoping to open a dialogue at an open house on Saturday.

Four South Florida women invite God onto the set of their TV talk show

Carolyn Woodberry has never been on The View, the popular ABC daytime show where female personalities bicker over the day's news, but she has a message for Barbara Walters and company: There's a higher authority.