Local News
Six new priests followed Jesus call in their hearts to the altar
Archbishop Nelson Perez ordained six men as new priests for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia in the cathedral basilica filled to capacity Saturday, May 21. He advised them to “stay close to the Lord in the Eucharist.”
Catholic school student raises funds, and hope, for Ukraine
Brian Onuskanych, a first grader at St. Lucy School for Children with Visual Impairments, said "Jesus whispered in his ear" to rally humanitarian aid for the war-torn nation, now facing the fourth month of a Russian invasion.
Archdiocesan relief agency responding to peanut butter recall
Nutritional Development Services has pulled supplies of Jif products marked as a potential source of salmonella, while staff are reminding donors of ways to give food safely.
National News
Supreme Court rules 6-3 against Arizona’s death-row inmates
The two inmates could not present new evidence of ineffective counsel they said they received in state trials during their federal appeals, the high court ruled. Dissenting justices called the ruling perverse and illogical.
Some bishops call San Francisco prelate ‘courageous’ for Pelosi statement
More than a dozen bishops have affirmed a May 20 decision by Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone not to admit House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Communion due to her stance on abortion.
With judge’s new order, immigration restriction remains
The May 23 deadline for the Biden administration to lift the health measure Title 42 came and went at the U.S.-Mexico border, without any changes allowing migrants in, including asylum-seekers.
World News
Returning from Ukraine, Polish archbishop urges Vatican to revise attitude
Archbishop Stanislaw Gadecki criticized the Vatican's "naive and utopian" view on Russia's invasion of Ukraine, saying "murdering people has turned out to be just as possible as before" in modern history.
Military burns houses, destroying villages in northwest Myanmar
Catholic and Buddhist villages were razed May 20, the latest in a series of raids by the military junta that seized power last year and against whom resistance is growing.
Pope highlights need for community, evangelization, care for creation
Speaking to various groups May 21, Pope Francis emphasized among all that "in the church we are not 'me alone,' or just me and God; no, we are all of us, in community," and a bond exists "among ourselves and with creation."
Photo features
Archbishop Perez ordains six new priests in cathedral
The archbishop presided at the May 21 Mass at which the men joined the ranks of the priests of the Philadelphia Archdiocese, amid the prayers and warm wishes of a capacity congregation in the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul.
Seven men one step closer to priesthood
During a May 14 Mass, Archbishop Nelson Pérez ordained the men as transitional deacons, who will serve in area parishes as they complete their final year at St. Charles Seminary.
Honors convocation recognizes top scholars from Catholic high schools
More than 130 seniors from archdiocesan and private Catholic high schools were lauded during a May 19 ceremony at which Archbishop Nelson Pérez presided.
Commentaries
Who’s listening to the women?
People are talking about women and abortion, but who is listening to what expectant mothers really need? Greg Erlandson notes how much support unborn babies and those in poverty need.
War in Ukraine, through the eyes of a child
Drawings of children who have survived Russian shelling in Ukraine reveal deep trauma, while prompting questions about the future of freedom worldwide, writes Gina Christian.
Life of conversion begins with baptism, peaks with Eucharist
In the church's current synodal process and the coming eucharistic revival in the U.S., Archbishop Jose Gomez of Los Angeles sees a confluence of paths on our earthly journey with the Lord.
Calendar of Events
Jim Gardner to speak at St. Charles Seminary
The longtime Action News anchor and Philadelphia broadcasting icon will join a town hall discussion and receive the 2022 Cardinal John Foley Award May 26.
Chamber music concert comes to cathedral May 21
The Pyxis Piano Trio performs works by Beethoven and Brahms Saturday, May 21 at 7 p.m. in the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul.
University of Notre Dame Chorale performs May 20
The official concert choir of the University of Notre Dame visits St. Margaret Church, Narberth for a free concert Friday evening at 7 p.m.
Culture
What’s old is new again in ‘Downton Abbey: A New Era’
With pestilence and a war having beset the world since the last Downton movie, many will welcome a return to the lush surroundings and personalities of the titular grand manor.
‘Family Camp’ comes over as campy, flavorless gruel
The evangelical comedy offers good news for a wide range of age groups. Unfortunately this leaden production fails to raise a smile even in its apparent Ozzie-and-Harriet alternate universe.