Local News
Through ups and downs of 125 years, St. Ignatius Parish’s faith endures
The West Philadelphia parish is predominantly African American, although it began as a parish for German Catholics. With help from St. Katharine Drexel's sisters, the Catholic faith has sustained the Black Catholic community.
Our Lady of Hope Parish marks 25 years — and a lot more history
The North Philadelphia parish is the result of a merger of three parishes going back as far as 175 years. Mass attendance is strong by the mostly resident African American congregation, joined by Hispanics and Filipinos.
Special kids enjoy a day of their own at St. Michael’s parish fair
The crowds and sounds can be overwhelming for some children, so for 40 years St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Levittown has set aside one day at its carnival with an easier pace. The fair, begun in 1954, runs through July 8.
Cute, yes, but little ones gain serious skills at Casa del Carmen
Parents of the 5-year-olds who graduated from the Catholic Social Service agency's preschool June 20 know their kids are better prepared academically and socially, with more confidence, thanks to the program.
At-risk teens go from hard knocks to high hopes at St. Francis-St. Vincent
When Mason Rainey's family broke up in North Philadelphia, he was in "rebellion" until he came to a Catholic Social Services program where he learned discipline and loved the staff like family. Now he's a graduate heading to the Navy.
‘Putting Mary everywhere’ goal of St. Veronica’s parishioners
The faithful filled the parish church and its chapel, St. Hugh's, with exuberant worship and energized the streets with prayer during a grand rosary procession last Sunday afternoon in North Philadelphia.
Catholic school teachers learn to reach kids traumatized at home
The Catholic Urban Education Conference held June 20 in Philadelphia helped teachers learn about the effects of childhood trauma on their students, and how to help them achieve in the classroom and in life.
‘Thank you for saving us’: Refugees start new life with Catholics’ help
One person at a time, archdiocesan Catholic Social Services is helping some of the 44,000 persons fleeing their homes globally every day, the highest in recorded history, amidst a climate of fear and polarization.
De La Salle Vocational grads ready to roll up sleeves for work
Ten young men received their high school diplomas June 15 at the Bensalem-based center for at-risk youth. More a second home than a boot camp, the Catholic Social Services school joins work training with counseling.
Eagles’ Doug Pederson connects with talk on faith, football
The coach of the Super Bowl champions spoke of prayer and reading the Bible during a June 11 event at which the American Bible Society described its planned new museum on the role of religion in America.