Local News
AbbeyFest offers strong lineup of music, faith and fun for thousands
A rock concert that also includes confessions, eucharistic adoration and Mass is ready at Abbey Faith and Music Festival, a day-long event for all ages at Daylesford Abbey in Paoli on Saturday, Sept. 24.
Assignment changes announced for local clergy
Archbishop Charles Chaput announced appointments for six priests and one permanent deacon in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
‘Cathletics’ joins Olympics with faith education for kids at Bible camp
St. Helena Parish in Blue Bell held a summertime camp focusing on lessons from Scripture and the saints. Between the 98 children and 46 adult volunteers of all ages, the camp built community for the whole parish.
Mother Teresa: The saint among us
The holy founder of the Missionaries of Charity, who will be canonized a saint by Pope Francis Sept. 4, visited her sisters in the Philadelphia region several times. She left lasting memories that continue to inspire the people she met.
Archdiocesan priests elect new deans
Of the 12 deaneries, or regions, of the Philadelphia Archdiocese, four will have new leadership, the result of recent elections among priests. Two new representatives were also selected for the Council of Priests.
Day of Prayer for Peace coming Sept. 9 on feast of St. Peter Claver
Archbishop Charles Chaput invites all parishes in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to observe a national day of prayer in response to racially charged shootings in American cities this year.
Faithful learn to have a ‘Marian heart’ at West Chester parish retreat
SS. Simon and Jude Parish hosted about 150 people from the parish and surrounding area for a day with Mass, presentations, discussions and prayers honoring Mary, the model for discipleship today.
Studying for the GED, one student at a time
Nicole Yezik teaches English at St. Gabriel’s Hall and mentors young men seeking their GED certificate. The youths have few academic skills, so tutors focus on the individual. "Whatever they need to succeed, we do.”
From the ‘living hell’ of youth, a young man’s future looks bright
Felix Alberto came from a dysfunctional family and a boyhood in which he thought it to be better dead than alive. After years of delinquency he turned his life around with help from staff at a Catholic program for troubled boys.
Big bump in seminary enrollment another sign of vigor for vocations
This year St. Charles Seminary will be home to 160 seminarians, with 67 studying for the Philadelphia Archdiocese, 18 of which are new arrivals. Enrollment at the seminary is up 33 percent from two years ago.