Local News
Priest rallies law enforcement to brighten kids’ night
Dozens of Philadelphia police gathered on Oct. 9 to flash their car lights outside of Shriners Hospital for Children. Oblate Father Steven Wetzel organized the local version of "Good Night Lights," a movement that has spread throughout the nation.
Five Catholic grade schools in archdiocese get national honors
Five local Catholic grade schools -- Cardinal Foley Regional, Mary Mother of the Redeemer, St. Pius X, St. Thomas the Apostle and SS. Colman-John Neumann -- have been named National Blue Ribbon Schools.
Penn-Drexel Newman opens new Catholic ministry center
A ribbon cutting last weekend for the new facility serving Penn and Drexel students plus residents of University City led celebrations tied to Cardinal John Henry Newman, who will be named a saint Oct. 13.
Holy Family Home to be rebuilt on same Southwest Phila. site
The Little Sisters of the Poor, caring for the elderly poor in the city for 150 years, have begun a project to replace their 1970s-era facility at a cost of up to $45 million -- entirely on donations.
Hispanic Heritage Mass reflects ‘different countries, one family’
Some 300 Spanish-speaking Catholics from 40 parishes and worship sites gathered for the annual liturgy. More than 20 lay faithful also received certificates in church ministry from the Hispanic Catholic Institute.
Two South Phila. parishes have big reasons to celebrate
Catholic faith and camaraderie were in the air Oct. 6 as St. Paul Parish blessed its new social hall at St. Mary Magdalen de Pazzi Church while a few blocks away, St. Nicholas Parish celebrated its annual Italian Festival.
Diaper drive keeps babies (and families) covered
To mark Respect Life Month, archdiocesan Catholic Social Services has launched an online campaign to provide area infants with a basic necessity that's breaking the budget of many low-income families.
Ukrainian Catholic bishops in U.S. begin outreach for priest candidates
Leaders of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in the United States have appealed to seminarians to identify candidates for the priesthood who can be "true missionaries and pastors."
African Catholics from 21 nations pray, celebrate in Phila.
Hundreds gathered for the multilingual and multicultural African Heritage Mass Sunday, Oct. 6 at St. Raymond Church. They later shared the distinctive foods from their homeland at festive meal.
Safe injection sites ‘form of euthanasia,’ says priest in addiction ministry
Father Douglas McKay, who has spent some 50 years helping those who struggle with substance abuse, says Philadelphia's planned facility "dehumanizes and demoralizes" those in addiction.