New Evangelization, life and family ministry focus of archdiocesan changes

Last June the Archdiocese of Philadelphia created the Office for Life, Family and Laity, with Steven Bozza as director, to lead the local Church’s efforts in those areas. The office represented a consolidation of former offices and personnel.
One year later, the office is undergoing another evolution. Starting July 1, it will be reconfigured into two [...]

Bishop McDevitt grad last of a long line of high-achieving siblings

There had to be a bit of déjà vu for Mike and Mary DiCamillo and their family when Sophia, the youngest of their six children, stepped up to the podium on June 5 at Arcadia University as valedictorian for the Bishop McDevitt High School, Class of 2013, commencement exercises.

She is the fourth member of the family to be McDevitt’s valedictorian.

Maple Glen parish marks 50 years of close ‘family bond’

In 1963, as part of the great migration of Catholics from the Philadelphia core to its outlying areas and the suburbs, nine parishes were founded. One of them, a spin-off of St. Anthony in Ambler, was St. Alphonsus, Maple Glen.

With about 1,700 households and almost 1,300 in Mass attendance each week, it has a lot going for it. In addition to the many long-running and some new parish programs are 75 or so men and women who attend daily Mass.

Shanahan speaker wows them at the podium, credits his ‘circle of faith’

Jonathan Weyand, who graduated from Bishop Shanahan High School on June 5 and is headed for the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, is one heck of a speaker.

He was not only the valedictorian for his high school, but he was chosen to represent all the Catholic high school graduates in a speech given at the Academic Honors Convocation presided over by Archbishop Charles Chaput May 21 at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul.

Philadelphia selects Catholic Social Services as partner for serving at-risk youth

Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia (CSS) has been selected as a Community Umbrella Agency (CUA) for the City of Philadelphia’s Department of Human Services (DHS) under its new model Improving Outcomes for Children.

CSS is one of three community-based organizations most recently selected by DHS to manage the cases of the city’s most at-risk youth.

Inner-city kids learn math through baseball fantasy league in CSS program

Fifty North Philadelphia children flexed their math muscles on Saturday, June 8, at the Cardinal Bevilacqua Community Center in Kensington by using baseball as a way to teach math concepts.

Fourth- to eighth-grade students of local public and parochial schools and community-based organizations spent the last four months using the program to build fantasy teams, analyze data and play simulated baseball games with their peers, all while demonstrating their math ability on baseball statistics and developing critical thinking and decision-making skills.

Priest retirements announced

The following priests of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia have been named pastor emeritus or have retired. Click the name of each priest listed below to see his biographical profile. CatholicPhilly.com wishes each priest many more years in the Lord’s service — ad multos annos!

Clergy assignment changes announced

Most Reverend Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., Archbishop of Philadelphia, announces the following appointments effective July 1, 2013:
PAROCHIAL VICAR
Reverend Angelo J. Hernandez, from Coordinator, Hispanic Ministry, Delaware County, to Parochial Vicar, Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul, Philadelphia
RESIDENCE
Reverend Steven J. Harris, Staff, Office of the Metropolitan Tribunal and Chancery Office, from St. Colman Parish, Ardmore, [...]

June 30 set aside for ‘Justice for Immigrants’ day in Philadelphia

Sunday, June 30 is “Sunday for Justice for Immigrants” in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Archbishop Charles J. Chaput announced June 7.

He will celebrate a Mass for the intention of justice for immigrants at 6:30 p.m. on June 30 at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul, Philadelphia.

The archbishop encouraged all people in Southeastern Pennsylvania to respond to the issue of immigration on that day in three ways.

For 48 years in Catholic schools, Chaykowsky made friends, influenced students

Forty-eight years is a long run in any profession. When Helen Chaykowsky, the principal at Archbishop Ryan High School, retires this month, that’s how many years she will have had in Catholic education.

“I wish everyone could find a career that would make them as happy as I have been,” she said. “I became the woman I am because of my experience. I loved every minute of it, and now I feel ready for whatever plan God has for me.”