Archbishop Perez's messages
Archbishop Perez: Defeat racism by ‘active love, light of faith’
Marking Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday Jan. 17, Archbishop Nelson Perez calls everyone to continue Dr. King's work to "champion for the dignity of all God's people."
Local News
Lay parish leaders live out vocation, help others do the same
Parish services directors throughout the Philadelphia Archdiocese are working shoulder-to-shoulder with pastors to "keep the plates spinning" and bring people closer to Christ.
Prayer service celebrating Dr. King set for Jan. 17
Archbishop Nelson Perez, a Jewish rabbi and a Muslim imam will lead prayers Monday evening at the Miraculous Medal Shrine to which all are invited, in person and virtually.
Local pro-lifers doing ‘amazing things’ for life at all stages
From next week's March for Life to prayer vigils to crisis pregnancy support, faithful in the Philadelphia Archdiocese are working hard to end legalized abortion, buoyed by hope in the face of headwinds.
National News
Court blocks vaccine mandate for businesses
The Supreme Court Jan. 13 denied a requirement that employees at large businesses show proof of a COVID-19 vaccination or wear masks. The court also approved a vaccine mandate for health care workers.
Two Catholic universities sued over financial aid practices
The University of Notre Dame and Georgetown University are among 16 schools sued for how they calculate financial need, potentially favoring the children of wealthy donors.
What’s in a name: Catholic farmers weigh in on ‘bioengineered’ label
While the label and logo have changed on food packaging Jan. 1, farmers know what's inside that makes a product organic or including genetically modified organisms.
Catholics invited to pray in ‘9 Days for Life’ Jan. 19-27
The 10th annual novena, sponsored by the U.S. bishops' Committee on Pro-Life Activities, offers simple prayers and reflections on its "overarching intention" for "the end to abortion."
World News
Ukrainian priests appeal for support as Russian threat grows
Fearing an invasion by Russian armed forces, Catholics in Ukraine were "seeking prayers for peace, as well as material help and support" from Western church leaders.
Court acquits Indian bishop of rape; nun to appeal
Bishop Franco Mulakkal was cleared of raping a member of the Missionaries of Jesus in Kerala state. A court said the prosecution could not prove the allegations against him.
Spanish bishops assure pope of sex abuse probes
A newspaper uncovered 251 cases of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church in Spain dating back 80 years. Unlike nationwide efforts in other countries, individual dioceses will look into the cases.
Commentaries
Americans aren’t as far apart as we think
Despite ample distrust, our differences are not as huge as we fear, writes Greg Erlandson. Parishes could bring people together for acts of service where diverse Catholics can work shoulder to shoulder on what unites us.
Contraception, abortion and splitting the atom of human sexuality
In his encyclical "Humanae Vitae," Pope Paul VI predicted the dire consequences of manipulating the marital act, as current statistics on poverty, violence against women and human trafficking attest, writes Gina Christian.
Four ways that mourning is a blessing
Paulist Father Richard Andre shows how the "sure and certain hope" we hold as Catholics that life is changed, not ended, can help us live the beatitude to "comfort those who mourn."
How do we comfort those who mourn?
One woman's gentle presence as a parish ministry leader enables her to serve the needs of grieving parishioners, a key to evangelization and to living the second beatitude.
Spirituality
Be amazed at the ‘wow’ of God’s gifts of love
Msgr. Joseph Prior sees in Jesus' miracle of the wedding at Cana a cause for amazement at how God gives lavishly so his plan of love can be accomplished for all.
Readings of the Holy Mass – Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Read, listen to or watch videos of the Mass readings with these resources from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, using the New American Bible, Revised Edition.
Calendar of Events
St. Raymond’s to host concert for Dr. King Jan. 16
As Americans pause to remember the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., a free concert in his honor will be performed by three Catholic choirs Sunday afternoon.
Young men: Come and see about a vocation
Young men of high school and post-high school age are invited to upcoming Come and See Weekends at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary to discern a possible vocation to priesthood.
Liturgical changes, then and now, focus of workshop
The Association of Church Musicians of Philadelphia hosts a day-long program Feb. 5 on the liturgy since Vatican II and the effect of COVID on music ministers and congregations.
Listen to CatholicPhilly.com
Going to a wedding, and a miracle
Author and speaker Gary Zimak looks at the readings for this Sunday's Mass, and considers Jesus' first public miracle in the wedding at Cana.
Sports
Hallahan alumnae, Catholic athletes mourn passing of Pat Biello
Athletic director at Hallahan High School for almost half a century, the giant on the Philadelphia sports scene is remembered by family and friends as a "phenomenal coach and mentor to women and ahead of her time." Ms. Biello was 79.
Culture
Can religion and politics get us beyond the culture wars?
This book's 14 essays mostly by academics doesn't solve any of today's problems, but it shows lessons we may learn about polarization and culture wars by studying the past.