Local News

$20K grant helps Catholic preschool teach tots to read for life

Thanks to a grant from the Archdiocesan Educational Fund, Casa del Carmen Preschool Academy is expanding its education of young children, and their parents, knowing that literacy "breaks the cycle of poverty."

Archbishop Chaput approves clerical changes in archdiocese

Two parishes of the Philadelphia Archdiocese will welcome religious priests as parochial administrators, the archbishop announced April 30.

Archbishop Chaput: Synagogue attack is an obscenity

The April 29 attack on Congregation Chabad Synagogue near San Diego, which left one dead and three wounded, stems from "the toxic nature of our politics on both the left and the right," said Archbishop Chaput, who calls on all area Catholics to pray for the local and national Jewish community.

Volunteers are the ‘backbone’ of Catholic Social Services’ success

Some of the more than 3,400 people who dedicated almost 92,000 hours last year to archdiocesan social ministries were honored recently for offering help to those who need it in the community.

Tuition tax-credit programs a focus at local parishes April 27-28

On EITC/OSTC weekend, parishioners will learn about efforts to strengthen two state programs designed to help families choose Catholic education for their sons and daughters.

Court says Philadelphia can end faith-based agencies’ foster care

An appeals court ruled April 22 that the city can bar archdiocesan Catholic Social Services from placing children in foster care with any family because CSS upholds traditional marriage. Two other states are grappling the issue.

Praying hands at work: St. Joseph’s parishioners roll up their sleeves

The faithful and handy parishioners of St. Joseph Parish in Spring City, Chester County have worked hand in glove with their energetic pastors for 100 years to build a welcoming community.

Churches’ solemn Easter traditions vary from East to West

The rites of Holy Week leading up to Easter are celebrated differently in the Eastern Catholic churches, such as Byzantine Ukrainian, especially on Good Friday and Holy Saturday.

In era of division, they break bread at interfaith seder meal

St. Joseph's University hosted the Jewish ritual meal April 7 before Passover for some 100 area Jews and Christians, including seminarians and other Catholics. They celebrated the common origin of their faiths.

Local Catholics can help rebuild Notre Dame via collection

Archbishop Charles Chaput has asked that all parishes in the Philadelphia Archdiocese consider taking up a voluntary collection to assist with the repair efforts for the Cathedral of Notre Dame, damaged by fire April 15.