Local News
Women Embrace Their Sacred, Unique Gifts at 9th Annual Conference
More than 1,200 women attended the annual Catholic Women’s Conference Oct. 19 that celebrated the joys of womanhood through prayer and friendship.
Clergy and Religious Lifted Up in Prayer For Dedication ‘To God’s People’
Saint John Vianney Center celebrated its second annual Day of Prayer for Clergy and Men and Women Religious on Oct. 18, inviting the faithful to lift up in prayer those who have dedicated their lives to serving the Church.
Montco Parish Unveils Nine-Foot St. Michael the Archangel Statue, Prays for Intercession
St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish in Limerick unveiled a new nine-foot bronze statue of the leader of God's heavenly forces Oct. 19 with a blessing led by Bishop Keith Chylinski.
Spirituality
In Time of Stress and Fatigue, Jesus Calls Us to Joy
Worry and anxiety can weigh us down and lead to blindness, writes Msgr. Joseph Prior. Like the blind man in this Sunday's Gospel, we cry out to Jesus. He hears us and heals us.
Culture
Book Shows Signs of ‘Solidarity and Mercy’ in War-Torn Ukraine
Stories of hope, on the part of survivors and the religious sisters, clergy and humanitarian workers serving Ukrainians, are the subject of a new book published this month by author Chris Herlinger, a reporter with National Catholic Reporter newspaper.
Photo features
Annual White Coat Mass Honors Medical, Healthcare Professionals
Medical and healthcare professionals from throughout the region gathered Oct. 21 at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia for the annual White Coat Mass. See our photo gallery.
Across the Aisles: Nativity BVM Parish in Media
More than 30 young Catholics received the sacrament of confirmation conferred by Archbishop Nelson Pérez as he celebrated Mass Oct. 23 at the Delaware County parish.
Photos: Mercy Career & Technical HS Welcomes Archbishop
On Oct. 23, Archbishop Pérez joined the student community at Mercy Career & Technical High School for a pastoral visit and to celebrate Mass. See photos from the visit.
Sports
After Coaching 37 Years, Jon Heisman Still Has More to Give
The Bishop Shanahan lacrosse coach, winningest in state history, retains his passion for the sport and for making a difference in a young person’s life.
People and Events
Archbishop Travels to New Mexico to Lend Support to Catholic Leadership Institute
Earlier this week, the Archbishop along with his brother priests and staff from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia traveled to New Mexico to show support for the work of the Malvern-based Catholic Leadership Institute.
Archbishop, Archdiocesan Staff Gather for Mass and Fellowship
On Sunday, Oct. 20, Archbishop Pérez along with staff from the newly formed archdiocesan Office for Strategic Planning gathered for the celebration of Mass followed by an evening of fellowship.
Calendar of Events
Cathedral and Archdiocesan Choirs to Perform Duraflé Requiem Nov. 2
The Cathedral Basilica and the Archdiocesan Choirs of Philadelphia will be performing movements from the Duraflé Requiem at the12:05 p.m. Mass on Saturday, Nov. 2 at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul.
Liturgical Music Series at Cathedral Set to Kick Off in New Year
Led by Father Jordan Kelly, O.P. and sponsored by the archdiocesan Office for Divine Worship, the program that kicks off Jan. 11, 2025 is designed to provide over six weeks a focused presentation on the many aspects of liturgical music in a parish program.
Commentaries
Let’s Talk About Mental Health in our Parishes
Whether we realize it or not, people with mental illness are already in our pews, writes the director of the Archdiocesan Office for Persons with Disabilities. Natalie Rivera calls for awareness, discussion and prayer, and points toward a new national Catholic campaign this month.
Learning to Listen Through Synodality
Sister Constance Veit's recent exercise in synodality in her order, the Little Sisters of the Poor, showed that when we are willing to let go of our own priorities, together we can discern God's will for the world.
The Philadelphia Catholic Youth Conference: A Transformative Encounter for Youth
The day-long event Nov. 23 will provide a way for faith to flourish amid the challenges youths face. Marisally Santiago, director of the Office of Ministry for Youth, tells how young people have found in PCYC a lifeline for direction, connection, and hope.
Profile
New Director Looks Forward to Guiding Catholic Men in Finding Their Vocations
Father David O’Brien, appointed last June to head the Vocation Office for the Diocesan Priesthood, says he desires “to be a good example of the priesthood” and to help those interested view this vocation as a viable option.
Local Woman’s Kindness Ministry Surprises Strangers with Fresh, Recycled Flowers
Patricia Gallagher, a parishioner at Corpus Christi Parish in Lansdale, leads the Happy Flower Day Project, spreading kindness to others by giving recycled flowers a fresh purpose.
Video Features
Archdiocese Kicks Off New School Year with Pep Rally | Watch Replay of Event
Watch a replay of the official kick-off celebration for the 2024-2025 school year in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia with a pep rally led by Archbishop Pérez Oct. 2 at Conwell-Egan Catholic High School in Fairless Hills.
Spirit of Synodality About ‘Relationships and Dialogue,’ says Archbishop
In a new video, the archbishop sits down with Julia Osęka, St. Joseph University student and voting delegate for the Second Session of the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, for a candid conversation ahead of the Oct. 2 synod opening in Rome.
Pope Francis
Pope to Open Holy Door at Rome Prison at Beginning of Jubilee 2025
Two days after opening the Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica to inaugurate the Holy Year 2025, Pope Francis will travel to a Rome prison to open a Holy Door as a "tangible sign of the message of hope" for people in prisons around the world, the Vatican announced.
Pope Warns Against Becoming a ‘Sedentary’ Church After Synod’s Close
Three years after he asked the world's Catholics to walk together in faith on a synodal journey, Pope Francis said that the church cannot risk becoming "static" but must continue as a "missionary church that walks with her Lord through the streets of the world."
Hispanic Catholics
Decanato creado para satisfacer las necesidades de los católicos hispanos en la Arquidiócesis
Este decanato abarca apostolados que brindan atención pastoral y los sacramentos para los católicos de habla hispana en 37 parroquias en la región de los cinco condados.