World News
Being a catechist is a vocation, pope says in establishing formal ministry
Calling for formal recognition of lay men and women who by their baptism work to teach the faith, Pope Francis has instituted the "ministry of catechist." In the Philadelphia Archdiocese, more than 4,000 lay persons serve as catechists.
Christian leaders in Jerusalem express concern over growing violence
The heads of Christian churches were "disheartened" as 331 Palestinians were reportedly wounded at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem during clashes with Israeli police May 10.
Vatican cautions U.S. bishops on politicians and Communion
The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has urged the U.S. bishops to proceed with caution about formulating a national policy to address Catholic politicians who support legislation allowing abortion or euthanasia, saying they are not "the only grave matters" in Catholic teaching.
Local News
Vaccine clinics reach deaf, hard of hearing
The Philadelphia Archdiocese recently teamed up with federal, city and community agencies to bring Pfizer and Moderna doses, along with sign language interpreters, to an underserved population.
Fire destroys St. Leo Church in Northeast Phila.
A blaze Sunday evening, May 9 completely engulfed and gutted the church that had been closed since 2018 after a merger in 2013. Longtime former parishioners mourned the loss of a landmark known as "the heart of Tacony."
Changes to Clergy Office, new committee, offer priests more support
A new vicar and assistant vicar for clergy, plus the newly formed Committee for Priestly Life and Ministry, will allow the Philadelphia Archdiocese to care for active and retired priests, Archbishop Perez announced May 7.
Calendar of Events
Holy hour to pray for peace, end to pandemic
The World Apostolate of Fatima is sponsoring the holy hour on the feast of Our Lady of Fatima, Friday, May 14 at St. John Cantius Church, Philadelphia.
Chester County March for Life set for June 5
The Saturday morning event, starting with Mass and including the march and featured speakers, will mourning 25 years of abortion at Planned Parenthood in West Chester.
National, local doctors working on pandemic to be honored
The Dare to Understand Award of Interfaith Philadelphia will be presented in a virtual event May 26 to Dr. Anthony Fauci of the NIAID and Dr. Ala Stanford of the Black Doctors Consortium.
Profile
New priest to bring spirit of adventure, model of suffering to ministry
All his life, Mark Tobin had a strong desire for a challenge. He sought adventure, found hardships as a Navy special forces fighter in Iraq and eventually had an encounter with God and a calling to be a Catholic priest.
Family’s faith was bedrock on winding path to priesthood
As Ken Cavara of West Chester approaches ordination this May, he looks back on his journey of traveling, learning and discerning, and forward to the exciting priestly life of being with Catholic parishioners in the sacred space of family life.
National News
After son’s death, couple tackles stigma surrounding suicide
Jackson Roeder died by suicide at age 25. His parents keep his memory alive and urge people "to be more accepting and talk more openly" about suicide, mental health issues and grief.
Don’t weaponize the Eucharist for political ends, bishop warns
A "national policy" of excluding pro-choice Catholic politicians from receiving holy Communion would "constitute an assault" on the Eucharist's sign of unity and charity, said San Diego Bishop Robert McElroy.
Children separated under Trump policy to be reunited with families
The Biden administration is seeking to reunite more than 1,000 families and at least 2,342 children affected by the Trump administration's "zero tolerance" family separation policy.
Photo features
St. John’s Hospice gets helping hand from archbishop on visit
Archbishop Nelson Perez paid a visit to the Catholic facility for homeless men in Philadelphia during his visit April 29. He had lunch with the guests, met the staff on a tour, and handed out bags of food and personal items.
Couples mark wedding anniversaries with prayer at cathedral
Archbishop Nelson Perez celebrated Mass on Saturday, May 1 and afterward greeted Catholic couples in the Philadelphia region celebrating their wedding anniversaries at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul.
Spirituality
Dynamic force of love leads to abundant, joyful life
Love entails a relationship involving a giver and receiver of oneself. Jesus, as we learn in this Sunday's readings for Mass, makes manifest God's great love for us, writes Msgr. Joseph Prior.
Readings of the Holy Mass – Sixth Sunday of Easter
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.
On the battlefield of life, Mary never leaves us
A Civil War song reminds Gina Christian that the Mother of Christ, entrusted to us at Calvary, stands by us in our struggles, leading us to the peace her Son has won for us.
Contemplative prayer helps us see world ‘with different eyes,’ pope says
Continuing his series of talks on prayer May 5, Pope Francis reflected on contemplative prayer, which is "the 'breath' of our relationship with God" and not so much a way of doing, "but a way of being," he said.
Commentaries
Caring for Mom as Mom cared for me
Greg Erlandson's elderly mother might not remember his name, but she knows this man across the table holding her hand loves her, and with the same selflessness with which he was loved.
Hospital chaplains display fearless faith
Whether virtually or in person during the pandemic, chaplains have brought spiritual care and sacramental support to critically ill and dying COVID-19 patients while also ministering to families and health care workers, writes Maureen Pratt.
Culture
The head scratching ethics of ‘Lucy, the Human Chimp’
Scenes of the main character living with chimpanzees is an immersive experience, but the film's human-chimp interactions are as interesting as they are murky and unsettling.
A look at labor justice through a Catholic lens
In her new book, author and theologian Christine Firer Hinze calls for an American economic system that ensures "dignified work and a good livelihood to every family and household without exception."
Adults behaving badly casts specter on child in ‘Separation’
With its storybook characters coming to ghostly life to menace the characters, the film adds little to the horror film genre but does offer a disturbing experience of emotional child abuse.