Archbishop Perez's messages
Hanukkah recalls divine power, joy and hope, says archbishop
Archbishop Nelson Pérez extends prayerful best wishes to the Jewish community as it prepares to celebrate the annual eight-day Festival of Lights and "strengthen the bonds of love with family and friends."
Local News
One-of-a-kind program at archdiocesan school transforms kids’ vision
At St. Lucy School in Philadelphia, children with cortical visual impairment (CVI) are receiving the region's only full-time CVI instruction, thanks to a grant from the Ambassador's Fund for Catholic Education.
Hanukkah celebrates religious freedom, hope, say local Jewish-Catholic relations experts
The eight-day Jewish festival, observed Nov. 28-Dec. 6 this year, “reminds us of the imperative to make room in our hearts for those who are different from us," say two professors at Saint Joseph's University.
Faithful serve hundreds of Thanksgiving meals to area families
From the city to the suburbs, parishes and ministries throughout the Philadelphia Archdiocese brought hope to those struggling with food insecurity during the holiday.
During holidays, lean on God more than ever for addiction recovery, say local experts
COVID and the Christmas season can make staying sober even more difficult, but "resurrection happens in hearts" that trust in the Lord, said Father Douglas McKay and other recovery ministers.
After year without a Christmas bazaar, parishioners glad for its return
The venerable tradition is returning to many parishes this year, as at Mother of Divine Providence Parish in King of Prussia, where craft vendors and volunteers shared a special joy.
Video Features
Rediscover Jesus in person at Mass, says archbishop
As Advent begins, Archbishop Nelson Pérez invites faithful to return to the Eucharist, where Jesus makes himself fully present in love, just as he did at his birth.
Spirituality
Advent’s focus on ‘the end’ leads to the Way of life
The renewal of the new liturgical year of Advent calls for preparation for the coming of Jesus and his call to radical love on our pilgrim path, writes Msgr. Joseph Prior.
Advent resets the world’s ‘cheap price’ on human life
The recent murder of a pregnant neighbor and an array of humanitarian tragedies reveal how little the world values human dignity -- and how great a price Christ, coming as a child, was willing to pay to redeem it, writes Gina Christian.
National News
HHS rescinds rule protecting faith-based foster care agencies
The Trump administration rule could "allow discrimination" against "LGBTQ+ persons in taxpayer-funded programs" for foster care and adoption, said the head of HHS in rescinding the rule.
Eucharistic revival will be ‘occasion of grace,’ host archbishop says
Indianapolis will be ready to welcome 80,000 participants for the National Eucharistic Congress in 2024, said Archbishop Charles Thompson, who predicted the event will have a "profound effect on the renewal and enrichment" of Catholics.
Wisconsin parishes pray for victims after SUV rams parade crowd
Five people died and dozens more were injured -- including a Catholic priest, church parishioners and Catholic school students -- when an SUV plowed through spectators watching a Christmas parade Nov. 21 in Waukesha.
U.S. bishops wrap meeting with spotlight on Eucharist, young people
In their first in-person meeting in two years, the bishops approved a major statement on the meaning of the Eucharist and launched plans for eucharistic initiatives in the U.S. Read a round up of key items from the three-day assembly.
World News
With new COVID rules, New Zealand Catholics to have Masses for unvaccinated
Under the government's orange and green traffic-light settings that will soon be in place, all parishes will be asked to provide Mass for people with the proof of vaccination required for unrestricted gatherings.
Gathering info on sex abuse seen as key to ‘restore a broken trust’
Gathering statistics on the sexual abuse of minors is an important tool for fixing a failed system, said U.S. Cardinal Seán P. O'Malley of Boston in a message for a day dedicated to the issue in Europe.
Spitting incident shows racism, hate in Jerusalem, church says
The acts "are an expression of racism and anti-Christian hate" that have been "taking place frequently, especially by religious Jews against Christian clergymen" in the Old City, said Armenian Orthodox Patriarchate.
Photo features
Across the Aisles: One week in parish life
Archbishop Nelson Perez met parishioners and administered the sacraments at four parishes recently in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, across both city and suburban communities. See an array of scenes from the visits.
Sports
All-Catholic football teams announced
The Philadelphia Catholic League announced the first and second teams of outstanding players in football, in both the PCL Red and Blue divisions, for the 2021 season.
Calendar of Events
Black Catholics Office presents Day of Reflection Nov. 20
The Office for Black Catholics invites all to reflect on "Renewing the Human Family" during a day of prayer, music and conversation featuring Sister Cora Marie Billings, R.S.M.
Info session for permanent diaconate set for Nov. 20
Catholic men, and their wives if married, with a deep spiritual life who are between the ages of 29 and 55 are invited to an in-person discussion at St. Helena Parish, Philadelphia on becoming a permanent deacon in the archdiocese.
Dinner invites all to Stand Up for Life
The annual event of the Pro-Life Union of Greater Philadelphia on Sunday, Nov. 21 gives the pro-life community in greater Philadelphia a chance to gather and further the mission of making abortion unthinkable. The featured speaker is Patricia Sandoval.
Culture
Faith learned young has lingering hold on emerging writer
Novelist Julie Courtney Sullivan drifted from her Catholic faith in her 20s. But an encounter with cloistered sisters changed her. Now she is raising a family, writing novels and has become "the most Catholic person in our family" because "no one has wrestled with (faith) in the family like I have."
Despite long odds, ‘King Richard’ built a mighty court
Actor Will Smith aces his vivid performance as the titular father of two future tennis greats, Venus and Serena Williams. This intriguing fact-based sports drama promotes an array of positive values.
‘Belfast’ contrasts Troubles with beauty of family love
Writer and director Kenneth Branagh's film set in Northern Ireland in 1969 is grounded in the strength of a devoted marriage and intergenerational care amidst the outbreak of sectarian violence.
Commentaries
Hail, the King of me
The image of Christ as king of the universe may be too big for us to grasp, writes Father Thomas Dailey, but we can hear Jesus' voice in our hearts and stand in his presence.
I’m old, thank God
Augustinian Father Paul Morrissey knows he is old, but he is grateful for the wisdom that his age brings, and for the life and faith of the dear old souls that he sees at church.
Jesus walked among us. We’re walking away
After tracing the steps of Jesus on a visit to the Holy Land, John Garvey is perplexed by Catholics abandoning the Mass in person. Without the sacrament of the Eucharist, the faith isn't much better than a YouTube video.