Photo features
56th annual Archbishop’s Christmas Benefit for Children
More than 400 young people who receive services from one of a dozen programs within Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia gathered for the 56th annual Archbishop's Christmas Benefit for Children Dec. 18 at the Sheraton Center city Hotel in Philadelphia.
Our Lady of Guadalupe celebration
On Tuesday December 11th, 2012 the Hispanic Community of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia gathered in anticipation of the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe to celebrate Las Mañanitas, a traditional serenading of Our Lady on the vigil of her feast day, followed by Mass. Bishop John J. McIntyre was the celebrant and homilist.
St. Charles Seminary’s 25th annual Christmas concert
More than 600 people filled the seminary’s St. Martin’s Chapel Sunday night, Dec. 9, and were treated to an hour and a half of selections of sacred music and two traditional Christmas carols by the 25-voice seminarian choir for their 25th annual Christmas concert. The choir was accompanied by six seminarian musicians led by the seminary’s rector, Bishop Timothy C. Senior, who played piano and sang.
SS. Cosmas and Damian celebrates 100 year anniversary
Archbishop Charles Chaput celebrated mass on Sunday, December 2, 2012 in honor of the parish's 100th anniversary. Father Genuardi, pastor, estimates the Parish has about 950 families. For this jubilee year each month was celebrated by a different event. Hospitality and healing are two hallmarks of the parish, and yes, being Italian, food is very much part of any gathering. Traditions are preserved through the annual celebration of the patron saints in September; there is the annual blessing of St. Anthony bread and the presentation of apples at Christmas.
Thanksgiving day Football
Photos by D'Mont Reese
NDS programs helping children eat healthy
Nutritional Development Services (NDS) recently celebrated the successful completion of its 2012 Peanut Butter and Jelly Drive, the start of its School Lunch Program at the newly formed Blessed Trinity Regional Catholic School in Philadelphia and a special day marking National School Lunch Week at St. Cecilia School, Philadelphia.
7th Annual Hispanic Heritage Mass
Archbishop Charles Chaput celebrated the Annual Hispanic Heritage Mass with the Hispanic community Oct. 26 at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul. Hispanic Catholics gathered at the Cathedral to celebrate their heritage and rich diversity with many priests serving in the Hispanic Apostolate throughout the Archdiocese.
Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Church dedication
Photos by Sarah Webb
St. Kateri Tekakwitha celebration at St. Katharine Drexel Shrine
On Sunday, Oct. 21, Catholics in the Philadelphia region celebrated St. Kateri Tekakwitha's canonization at the shrine of St. Katharine Drexel in Bensalem. The celebration included Native American drumming and round dancing, a procession with a statue of St. Kateri, a traditional Blessing of the Four Directions performed by local Native Americans and a 3 p.m. Mass celebrated by Father Thomas Betz, O.F.M. Cap.
October is Respect Life Month
During October the Catholic Church throughout the United States observes Respect Life Month. This annual tradition is now in its forty-first year. On October 7, Respect Life Sunday, our nation's Catholics were called to renew their personal commitment to defend all human life, especially the most vulnerable members of the human family. We demonstrate this commitment in a variety of ways—by participating in prayer services and educational conferences, engaging in public witness and advocacy, and helping to offer church and community services to those in need. Archbishop Charles Chaput celebrated mass for our archdiocese at the Cathedral. The theme of this year's Respect Life Program is one often expressed by Pope Benedict XVI: "Faith opens our eyes to human life in all its grandeur and beauty." (Photos by Sarah Webb)