Local News
Parish brings COVID testing site to Black community
St. Raymond of Penafort in Philadelphia has partnered with city officials and a local health care system to curb the spread of the virus, which has disproportionately impacted African Americans.
Faithful can help parishes, schools through #iGiveCatholic effort
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia has announced plans to join the annual crowdfunding campaign, which focuses #GivingTuesday donations on Catholic ministries.
Parish takes a ‘paws’ to mark feast of St. Francis
The annual blessing of the animals at St. William Parish in Northeast Philadelphia, held Oct. 4, drew some two dozen pets -- including a Chihuahua named for Padre Pio.
Bucks County parish teams up with archdiocese to reopen ministry
Closed due to COVID, the Fatima Catholic Outreach Center in Bensalem will now resume services to hundreds, thanks to a partnership between St. Charles Borromeo Parish and Catholic Social Services.
Pro-life advocates launch 40-day vigil of prayer, outreach
The annual 40 Days for Life fall campaign kicked off with a Sept. 23 candlelight vigil, followed by a Sept. 27 Mass celebrated by Archbishop Nelson Pérez, who said "that day will come" when abortion will end.
Catholics have a moral responsibility to receive COVID vaccine, say local experts
With more than a million COVID deaths, vaccines are "important for the common good," said Steven Bozza, director of the archdiocesan Office for Life and Family, stressing the need for ethically produced immunizations.
The science, and ethics, behind vaccines
Knowing how vaccines work -- as well as the Catholic teaching that governs them -- can reassure faithful who may be anxious about immunization, according to Philadelphia-area specialists.
Papal Foundation helping to train Catholics from 44 countries
The Chester-based foundation gave $800,000 in scholarships for 106 priests, religious and lay persons from developing countries, enabling them to study at 16 Catholic colleges in Rome.
New Villanova program tackles ‘justice gap’ for immigrants
Created by a longtime attorney and law professor, the innovative, year-long curriculum enables graduates to represent clients to immigration officials -- a service six in 10 migrants currently lack.
Longtime program for at-risk youth set to close
St. Gabriel's System, an archdiocesan ministry that has served thousands, will be discontinued due to declines in congregate care and financial fallout from COVID-19.