Local News

As March for Life nears, Philadelphians plan to meet up

The 46th annual witness to the sanctity of life will draw thousands of people to Washington on Jan. 18. It can be hard for folks from the archdiocese to rally together, so a new meeting place has been arranged.

Catholic agency helps refugees break global cycle of racism

Unwanted and facing discrimination in Libya, Egypt and the U.S., two Sudanese young men finally, through the help of archdiocesan Catholic Social Services, are learning, working and finding friendship here.

St. Gabriel’s at-risk youth shine in solar car project

Working with the local electricity firm PJM, students at St. Gabriel's Hall harnessed the energy of light, and the power of teamwork, to develop their engineering and project management skills.

Foundation help families afford to choose Catholic schools

The Foundation for Catholic Education plans to distribute $2.4 million this year in tuition aid to Catholic schools. It leverages Pennsylvania programs in which taxpayers can donate and get a tax rebate.

As religious sisters age, need to help them grows more acute

Retired sisters, brothers and priests can't rely on parish funding to support them in old age, like diocesan priests. That's why SOAR!, the national collection for religious, helps them live with dignity, together.

Mass, healing service inspire faithful at Malvern parish

Dynamic preacher Father James Blount, S.O.L.T., visited St. Patrick Parish before Christmas with a message of daily prayer to the Holy Spirit, source of healing. He offered relics and prayers long into the night.

Parishes set to pray for vocations in Holy Hours this Sunday

Twelve parishes will set aside time for parishioners to pray for vocations to the priesthood across the Philadelphia Archdiocese, following a program that identified about 75 young men who might make good priests.

Mummers Mass honors faith, family and tradition

String bands, feathers and golden slippers are all part of the beloved New Year's Eve liturgy, which Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in South Philadelphia has celebrated for the past 30 years. Watch our video.

Santa saddles up to help at-risk youth at Christmas

A local motorcycle group braved wet roads to deliver toys to the St. Francis-St. Joseph and St. Vincent Homes, which serve more than 100 dependent and delinquent teens.

Pennsylvania priest sent to prison after guilty plea in abuse case

Father John T. Sweeney, 76, received a sentence of 11 months to five years in state prison and must register as a sex offender for 10 years, a judge in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, said Dec. 21.